Forest Hills' visit to Lydd produced a rewarding 1-0 victory

No wind with a good playing surface worked in FHPs favour as a late goal condemned Lydd Town to a home defeat against Forest Hill at the Lindsey's Field.

Jamar Dobsons' sublime late goal was all that Forest Hill needed to see off Lydd and climb the table to fifth spot.

the same fixture last season didn't bode well for FHP as the strong coastal winds plus no protective weather fencing gave the home side an advantage. To their credit they won the game quite convincingly.

The return leg at Ladywell Arena ended in a win for FHP in a highly toxic encounter......

On to this fixture...

The ground had since been blessed with fully fenced coverage and the weather elements were also on good behaviour. There was a sense that a good match would be on show and so it proved to be....

The hosts started the match with high intensity, causing FHP to defend resolutely early on. As the game settled the visitors showed their intent to control possession of the ball, by this they created the better chances within the first period but the hosts goal keeper was in great form. Lydd struggled to find any rhythm to their play as they resorted to the predictable long ball game that FHP comfortably dealt with.

By the end of the first period the visitors generally controlled the game & managed to carve out three great opportunities to score but the hosts rode their luck and had their keeper to thank.

Half time 0-0

The second period proved to be more favourable to Forest Hill as the introduction of their first substitute made an immediate positive impact, causing the hosts defenders further problems. With FHP in the ascendency, Lydds vocal technical area and barrier side liners felt it necessary to aid the referees decisions by constant loud verbal advice/demands/requests, that the match official felt the need to often justify and explain his decisions to the questionable host players, time after time.

Whilst FHP were the more dominant side, Lydd still looked dangerous occasionally and had to be defensively focussed, to their credit... They were.

Jay Garrick caused further dismay for the hosts as he jinked his way through, to hit a fantastic lob, it looked goal bound for sure, but denied by the cross bar. Was this the sign of things to come?..... The game was in the last quarter and becoming more open, Lydd were banking on benefitting from a set piece perhaps, it was still possible, anything could happen....

With twelve minutes remaining, FHP broke through with a forward ball to Jamar Dobson, the big Lydd defender was probably favourite to win the ball, but Dobson showed more determination and strength to out muscle the last man, to get to the ball first, and with the clearness of mind and composure hit a fantastic lob over the rooted keeper into the back of the net.... Such a well deserved, good goal. It had to be something special to beat the Lydd shot stopper.

0-1

Forest Hill certainly had enough of the ball to reflect that it should have been a more emphatic scoreline but, equally Lydd did show spirit and made it a very competitive match.

The visitors saw the game out, and naturally got the result that their performance warranted.

Final score...

Lydd 0-1 Forest Hill Park

Next match....

Away against Gravesham Borough

Saturday 15th September 2016

SCEF League Cup

3pm kick off