Bad day at the office

Following Tuesday night's exit from the FA Cup against Fairford, Town were unable to lift spirits enough in Saturday's opening league game at home to Reading City to gain any points.

Missing Sam, Dec and Tristan manager Rich Kear once again had a makeshift defence which featured 4 fullbacks.

Reading looked a bang average side but started much the better of the two teams and took the lead inside 5 minutes.
Some poor defending down the right led to a cross that City skipper Michael Butcher side footed home.
With the Lydney side at sixes and sevens, Reading center forward Tyler D`Cruz headed against the crossbar 5 minutes later with the goal at his mercy. The reprieve didn't last very long. A harmless looking ball into the area saw Sheppard's attempt at a cushioned header back to Thomas drop short and Mo Davies pounced to beat the Lydney keeper from close range. 14 minutes gone and it's 0-2.

Lydney rallied but failed to have any shots on target in the period, while Davies thankfully fired over just before the break.

As on Tuesday night, Lydney were a better side in the second period,but could still only manage to create half chances. As for Reading, once again D`Cruz headed a great chance over the top, before Joe Pilling missed an absolute sitter to make it 3-0.

Changes were made by Town with the injured Finnan Hamblett being replaced by Frankie Johnson, Lewis Halford coming on for Keelan Hamblett and Logan Bowkett making way for Jacob English.
It proved to be Town's best spell but York in the visitor's goal had a quiet afternoon. The points were sealed on 78 minutes when City substitute Okine-Peters managed to evade 4 weak challenges before slotting home calmly to put his side 3-0 up.

Lydney did eventually get a consolation when Jack Rutter's corner kick was headed back across goal for Lewis Thompson to head in from 6 yards after 83 minutes. A later rally by Town was seen off by City and the visitors took all 3 points away with them.

A frustrating day for the Town faithful, that numbered over 100 on the day, but with a number of players due back, and then being able to play in more familiar positions, there appears a lot more optimism for the coming season.