Morley-Lyne ends Ardley's run with solitary goal

Ardley United's Matt Cruse is held off by a Lydney Town defender

A hard side to break down, taking the chance when it came and seeing out the win; characteristics that have been behind Ardley’s recent displays.

But on Saturday it was Lydney who gave Ardley a taste of their own medicine to take all three UHLSport Hellenic League points.

The first half of the premier division clash was one to forget, littered with poor throw-ins, passes and free-kicks straight out of play, and a whistle that blew for every challenge much to the derision of the players.

Matt Cruse flashed a shot wide but a quick throw-in saw Lewis Bamford thwarted by a last-gasp challenge. From two quick corners, Halford had a shot charged down by Jack Ross and James Morse glanced wide.

After the restart Ross found Leam Howards but his shot was easily saved by Richard Thomas. Chris Jackson fired at Thomas who kept out a volley from Ross.

Jackson headed wide from a corner and a thumping drive from Cruse came back off the post. Lydney had their chances, Jack Rutter lashed wildly over the bar and Morley-Lyne curled a free-kick over the top.

But Lydney won it in the 76th minute when a shot from skipper Jamie Addis was blocked by Ryan Knight and Bamford was fouled as he looked to pounce on the rebound. Morley-Lyne’s ensuing spot-kick squirmed under the diving Bennion.

Manager Paul Davis said: “We never got started, I don’t know if we turned up expecting to roll them over with our current form. But that certainly wasn’t the message from me and I’m sure the lads haven’t got that mentality going into the remaining few games.

“We go on these runs of winning games, score goals, win games late on, and look like we’re going well. Then out of the blue comes a performance like that.

“Leam Howards and Matt Cruse will score another six or seven goals each before the end of the season but it just wouldn’t go in.”