NEWI Cefn Druids recorded their first win of the new season in emphatic fashion at a near
deserted Plaskynaston Lane today.
It was the visitors from Port Talbot who looked in control
during the opening 5 minutes, against a Druids side that were
clearly lacking in confidence following a nightmare start to
the new season.
However, it was the home side who took the lead with the first
chance of the game, when Anthony Williams headed home only the
Ancients' second goal of the new campaign, following slack
marking in the Lido defence, much to the delight, and relief
of his team-mates and supporters.
The goal clearly lifted the spirits of the Druids players,
and just two minutes later Aden Shannon drilled the ball home
in the box following a neat knock-down from the lively Joe
Desmoreaux.
Druids continued to grow in confidence, whilst Lido heads
visibly began to drop. It was no surprise when Anthony
Williams fired home a third on 18 minutes, with visiting
keeper Brian Thomas fuming at his once-more AWOL defence.
Just six minutes later the ball was again in the net,
following another comedy of errors in the Lido penalty area.
Aden Shannon was gifted yet another goal to make it 4-0 after
just 26 minutes. The visiting and home faithful alike could
not believe what they were seeing, and Lido manager Mark
Robinson was anxiously waiting for the half time whistle to
sound.
Somehow, the visitors survived until half-time without any
further embarrassment, and whatever Robinson said to his
beleagured players at the break clearly worked.
The second half began with Lido looking far more
threatening, and experienced striker Kevin Bartley was
beginning to get beyond the feeble Druids defence. However, it
was not until the 65th minute that they finally managed to
pull a goal back, with midfield general Chris Pridham placing
a looping header over Macintosh into the Druids net.
Lido's assault on the Ancient's goal was stepped up, and they
were rewarded with a 2nd goal on 71 minutes, with defender
Paul Evans lashing the ball home following a goalmouth sramble.
The Druids' players fragile confidence appeared to be
shattering once more, but a swift counter attack terminated
any threat of an unlikely Lido comeback. Livewire Joe
Desmoreaux was felled running into the penalty area, and
referee Bevan did not hesitate in giving the penalty. Up
stepped striker Aden Shannon, and although his spot-kick was
superbly saved by Thomas, the ex-Christleton star made no
mistake with the rebound, to secure his first hat-trick at
this level.
Yet credit must be given to the visitors from Port Talbot, as
they continued to press the home side and they forced a
further consolation on 85 minutes, with Paul Evans getting on
the scoresheet again following another goal-mouth scramble
The final whistle was greeted by cheers from the home
side, and the Druids players can be pleased with a 100%
improvement on the season's earlier games. Meanwhile Lido,
renowned for their water-tight defence must pray that this was
just a one-off performance or a long, hard season will be on
the cards, especially against the stronger sides in the
league.
More worrying for Druids will be today's disheartening
attendance of just 76. Despite a bad start to the season, the
Ancients would have been hopeful of a decent sized crowd
today, as nearby neighbours Wrexham were without a game and
the Italy v Wales game an evening kick off. Those who did turn
up were treated to an exciting, attackive game and it will be
hopefully a few more performances like this that will see the
fans flocking back to Plaskynaston Lane.
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