Gloucestershire Midweek Floodlit League – U18s
CHIPPING SODBURY TOWN U18s 2
LYDNEY TOWN U18s 2
The previous encounter between the sides had been abandoned at half time due to a freezing pitch but Lydney must have hoped for a positive outcome this time round as they had been leading 4-1 before the game was called off by the officials.
Sodbury were determined to show that the previous encounter was just a fluke result and they made every effort to reverse the scoreline with some excellent flowing football. Despite the Sods dominating possession it was Lydney’s long ball tactics that resulted in the first goal on 14 minutes when they took the lead following a speculative punt by the goalkeeper, which caught the homes sides back four out. The Sods defence sat deeper after this and dealt comfortably with any threat and Josh Pandolfino equalised 15 minutes later.
New signing Arnold Jarvis was introduced ten minutes before the break and he made an immediate impact assisting with the Sods and Josh Pandolfino’s second goal of the match to give the home side a 2-1 advantage at half time.
With defensive pairing Ben Ashpole and Jarnell Japi dealing decisively with their opponents long ball tactics before the break Lydney switched from their direct approach in the second half and began to pass the ball to good effect. They were rewarded with an equaliser 15 minutes in when the referee gave a free kick on the edge of the Sodbury box for a very doubtful handball. (Where is VAR when you need it?)
Both sides worked hard for the remaining 30 minutes but it was Sodbury who rued missing some excellent chances with Joe Stott in the home goal largely untroubled for the entire half.
The U18s next fixture is at home to Tuffley Rovers on Wednesday 29 January, 7.30pm KO.
Report – Mark Lloyd
