It was the highly anticipated open cup semi final between Afan Lido and Fairfield Wednesday, with both sides on good form it was always going to be an exciting cup tie.
Lido were slow to start the game and Fairfield caught them on the counter and took an early lead in the strangest of fashions. Lewis Deak was adjudged to have fouled their striker near the bye-line. The cross came in, however it was horrendously miss-hit however it caught goal keeper Kyle Button flat-footed and he was unable to keep the ball from going into the bottom corner! The goal was a shock to the system for the Lido who began dominating the play and created chance after chance without any reward against a very resilient Fairfield Wednesday. This proved costly to the Lido as Fairfield, who looked continuously threatening on the counter, broke once more and with a rare attempt on goal made it 2-0! The difference in emotions from both sides was clear to see with Fairfield ecstatic and the Lido players in disbelief! Lido pressed and pressed and had corner after corner as they looked for a goal back and it finally came with less than 5 minutes left in the first half, as a Rob Kinsey corner was met by a Nathan Cole knee to give Lido a huge boost going in to half time.

Half time: Afan Lido 1 Fairfield Wednesday 2

The second half was one sided as Lido went all out to try and get the equaliser, but a determined Fairfield Wednesday stood firm. It wasn't until past the hour mark that Lido got level, when Jordan Watkins was brought down in the box and referee Phil Lang had no other option than to point to the spot. Johnny Hovvels stepped up and calmly put the ball passed the keeper. Lido now scenced a victory and didn't want to take the game to extra time. Lido continued to threat and gained multiple corners, which tallied to around 25 over the course of the game, but they didn't threaten the Fairfield keeper. With 8 minutes to go Lido at a free kick from around 45 yards out. Nathan Cole stepped up and his shot-come-cross was met by Jordan Watkins who put the Lido 3-2 in front! The comeback was complete, but the game not quite over. This spurred Fairfield on to press to get the equaliser but Lido defended strongly, however in the 89th minute Fairfield Wednesday missed a glorious chance to take the game to extra time when their striker put the ball the wrong side of the post! It was a left off for Lido. After 4 and a half minutes of stoppage time the referee finally blew the final whistle which marked huge celebrations from the Lido players, as they progress to the open cup final!

Final score: Afan Lido 3 Fairfield Wednesday 2