A very poor refereeing decision and a last seconds wonder strike saw the Town's under 18's go out of the F.A.Cup on Monday night.
Both sides started well and play went from end to end inside the first 15 minutes. Harvey Brown and Scott James were prominent for Town, while Luther Larson caused the home back four problems with his turn of pace.After John Coles had seen his free-kick go inches over the top, Aarron Price nearly put Lydney in front but his close range effort on 25 minutes was knocked over the bar by goalkeeper Ryan Kivi with his feet.The half ended with Channer in the home goal making a good stop before Scott James was shown a yellow card for a needless tug on the keeper.
Lydney went in front 2 minutes into the second half. A good cross came in from the left flank where a Harry Williams challenge on the keeper saw him fumble the ball to the feet of Ben Gransmore(pictured). He put his side 1 up with a neat sidefoot finish. Portishead responded immediately with the dangerous Larson drawing a fine stop from Channer, while at the other end Price flashed a shot across the face of goal. Bailey Hoare who had been solid at the back was replaced by Rhys Evans on 55 minutes after getting a knock. Harvey Brown crossed for Gransmore to put his header over the top on the hour mark, while Scott James fed Price but his snatched effort flew wide. Portishead kept coming at Lydney as the game wore on and it took two blinding stops from Channer(pictured) to deny them an equaliser. With the Town back four repelling everything thrown at them they were undone by an awfull refereeing decision with 5 minutes left to play. The ball was clearly knocked out of play by a Portishead leg but the ref awarded the visitors the throw in.With half the home side upfield they took a quick throw that released Luther Larson just inside the box. The striker ran through to hammer the ball past Channer for the equaliser. Barker and Powell were both booked in the dying minutes of the game as the visitors kept the pressure on. With the referee looking at his watch in added time, George Boon, who had already tried his luck from distance twice, ran at the backpeddling Lydney defenders and hit a thunderous strike from 25 yards that flew in off the crossbar. It was a cruel blow to the Town youngsters who had worked their socks off in the tie, but once again a last seconds goal brought back memories of last season's defeat by Gloucester City.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------