Lydney Town concluded their 2024/25 season with a challenging 8-0 loss to the formidable Roman Glass St George at Swan Road last Saturday.
Lee Smith’s Lydney side, currently positioned 18th in the Hellenic League Premier Division, faced a tough test against the second-placed visitors.
Smith acknowledged that his team was aware of the quality Roman Glass possessed, stating “came into the game knowing that Roman Glass were going to be a good side.”
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The tone was set early as Roman Glass' Laurent Davis-Wilson surged forward within the opening minute, sparking an immediate attacking threat.
Despite some defensive efforts from Lydney, Roman Glass continued to apply pressure with a well-orchestrated move in the early minutes, sending in a cross that was cleared by a resilient Lydney defense, but it signaled a sign of things to come.
Lydney exhibited pockets of resistance in defense, with Jordi Sheen and Smith making crucial interventions, but the relentless pressure eventually took its toll.
Just before the 10th minute, Neikell Plummer capitalized on an assist from Williams to net the opener.
Shortly after, Roman Glass extended their lead when Jack Smith finished skillfully after a driving run and cross.
Struggling to maintain possession, Lydney’s few attacks were either intercepted or concluded with ineffective final balls.
Roman Glass secured a 3-0 lead just before the half-hour mark with a powerful strike from Jennison Myrie-Williams that found the net off the post.
The floodgates opened further as Davis-Wilson added a fourth only a few minutes later.
In quick succession, Davis-Wilson struck again with a cheeky back-heel, possibly deflecting off a Lydney defender.
Seeking to strengthen their defensive resolve, Lydney made a substitution minutes before half-time, replacing Lee Smith with Billy Guest.
They managed to momentarily hold Roman Glass at bay, blocking a shot and the goalkeeper collecting a few threatening balls, but Roman Glass maintained their dominance, entering halftime with a commanding 5-0 lead.
Addressing his team at halftime, Lee Smith urged them to uphold pride in the shirt, the club, and each other, emphasizing that conceding numerous goals at this level of football is unacceptable.
Despite improving their performance in the second half, Lydney’s efforts were countered by Roman Glass' clinical finishing. Plummer added a sixth goal just after the 60th minute, while late goals from Smith and Brad Selwood sealed the emphatic victory.
In a final push for a consolation, Lydney pushed forward, but Roman Glass’s goalkeeper and defense stood firm.
Despite the defeat, Lydney’s safety in the league for the next season has been secured.
Smith reflected on the outcome, stating, “Losing might hurt me tomorrow, but it doesn’t hurt me now because we’ve just secured safety. It’s bittersweet. I want to be celebrating that really rather than thinking about that, but tomorrow I’ll reflect on it. The main thing was the safety of this club, and that’s what we’ve achieved."
Lydney Town: Phillips; Graham (Pinch 53), Elliott, Lurphy, Mace; L Smith (Guest 39), Sheen, Johnson; Myatt (James 61), Vaughan, Symons (Pinch 61). Subs not used: McKeon, Morley-Lyne.
Roman Glass St. George: Manning-Butler; Tierney, Williams, Lines, Mills (Adedokun 73); Selwood (Haynes 83), McClennan (Hartley 60), Myrie-Williams, Plummer (Crawford 73); J Smith (Gurney 81), Davis-Wilson (Gilchrist 60). Sub not used: Courtiel.
Referee: Alan Robinson.