Lydney welcomed back Richard Thomas in goal, Jon Kear in midfield and saw the surprise re-appearance of Pete Macklin (pictured) in a Lydney shirt.
Lydney came out of the blocks from the start and shook the home team with 2 goals in the opening 5 minutes. In the 1st minute a terrific Jarred Liddington shot completely deceived the keeper to put Lydney one up. In cold and wet conditions on a rock hard pitch both sides were having difficulty keeping control of the ball but on 5 minutes things got even better for Lydney when a penetrative run down the right by James Morse saw his cross back heeled towards goal by Jarred Liddington and with the keeper only able to parry the ball Ross Scott hammered the loose ball home. Lydney now had the home team in disarray and time after time caused them to make hurried clearances. On 12 minutes a Danny Clarke cross from the left found the head of James Morse but his header went just over the bar. On 20 minutes Wootton Bassetts first attempt on goal saw a terrific shot from the right winger pushed over the bar by keeper Thomas. Lydney continued to press and on 30 minutes a Danny Clarke effort shot went just over the bar. On 35 minutes another break down the right by James Morse saw his cross into the box well controlled by Jarred Liddington and he laid it into the path of Pete Macklin who coolly picked his spot to side foot home. The home team defence were now in total disarray and their plight deepened when a minute later centre-back Lee Bowen fouled Jarred Liddington on the edge of the box to pick up a second yellow card and dismissal from the field. Lydney were unable to add to their lead by the break but they were certainly worth their 3-0 half-time lead.
The 2nd half started in the same vein as the first with Lydney well on top and controlling the game. On 50 minutes Niall Halford run through from defence and his shot was well held by the keeper. On 60 minutes a Danny Clarke shot was deflected just wide by Jarred Liddington while on 70 minutes Pete Macklin headed just wide from a Ricky Elliott corner. With Lydney in total control Lydney made a double substitution with 12 minutes to go and Declan Morley-Lyne came on for Ross Scott and Austrian David Gamsjaeger replaced Danny Clarke. On 81 minutes James Morse once again powered forward but could only watch his shot go wide. Even though Lydney were unable to add to their goal tally this was a comprehensive win and in the 2nd half keeper Richard Thomas was more or less a spectator. Niall Halford once again had a tremendous game at the back and Pete Macklin showed all of his obvious class up front but on the night I would give the Man of the Match award to James Morse for his tireless display and his hand in two of the goals. We certainly halted the home teams push for promotion and they praised our performance bewildered as to why we are in such a lowly position.
This comprehensive win gave Lydney back to back 3-0 victories extending their unbeaten league run to 4 games and pulling them away from any talk of relegation. It also keeps them on track to finish in mid-table a position that recent results surely deserve. Lydney will be looking to extend this run with another visit to Wiltshire on Saturday when they travel to Purton. This is followed by an Easter Monday home fixture against New College Swindon which will hopefully draw a good holiday crowd.