Lido show fighting spirit to draw Sandfields derby in eight-goal thriller
Afan Lido v Port Talbot Town in WFL Division One at Marstons Stadium. Lewis Mitchel/PTT.
Afan Lido came from behind three times to eventually draw 4-4 with rivals Port Talbot Town in the Sandfields derby on Tuesday evening.
The visitors came into the came as underdogs, sitting eight places and 21 points adrift of Lido in the Welsh League Division One table.
The result sees Afan Lido and Port Talbot remain in third and 11th respectively.
Goals from Jack Hurley and Chris Hartland rescued a point for for the Aberavon side, who had trailed 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 and 4-2.
Port Talbot had the game’s first sight on goal, as Connor Harris saw his effort fly just wide of the upright.
Mark Pike’s side were able to convert their early pressure, when a ball in from a corner was met by Ryan Morgan, who’s powerful header put the Steelmen ahead.
Lido hit back just three minutes later when a free-kick was parried into the path of former Port Talbot player Chris Hartland, who tapped in to bring the game level.
The Victoria Road outfit were awarded a penalty when Blake Morgan was caught in the face by an elbow.
Jandir Zola stepped up and calmly placed the spot-kick straight down the middle to give his team the lead for the second time.
Andrew Mumford’s side equalised immediately once more, when Noah Daley skipped past a couple of defenders and blasted his shot into the net.
The Steelmen took the lead for the third time when an almost identical cross from Dylan Llewellyn found the head of Keane Watts.
Lido stepped up the pressure in search for another equaliser, and they drew level again when Jack Hurley’s wonderful volley from 35 yards out flew into the top corner.
They completed a dramatic comeback just minutes later when a corner was flicked on by Patrick Finneral, and Hartland was on hand to smash the ball in for his second goal of the game.
Port Talbot had a chance late on to score a winner on the break, but superb defending from Watts – who’s tackle prevented a shot on goal – meant that the spoils were shared in a gripping Sandfields derby.
(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell)
