Lawrenny made their 4th away trip in 5 matches this season as they faced a tough fixture against Merlins Bridge II who were able to field a strong side including revious 1st Division and West Wales Cup winners but despite the result being fair the score line did do Lawrenny an injustice.

Lawrenny were forced into making a few changes to the previous week as Joe Kidney, Chris Beff and Ed Merriman all came in for the working Harry Thomas, marathon running Owen James and leprechaun visiting Patrick Elliott. Lawrenny yet again started slow and were indebted to Danny Harries to still be level after 10 minutes. Lawrenny started to get in to the contest and should have taken the lead when Tom Cole found Dean Morris in acres of space but he blazed over when he really should have done better. Lawrenny though went behind in bizarre circumstances as a Merlins Bridge corner headed straight to James Durbridge who accidentally volleyed past Harries in goal. Lawrenny almost immediately responded by putting pressure on and after Joe Kidney put Tom Cole and as he rounded the keeper he was taken down by the keepers despairing lunge but somehow to the dismay of all Lawrenny players and staff and even the disbelief of the Bridge contingent the referee said no penalty. This knocked the stuffing out of Lawrenny and to compound matters they found themselves 2-0 through a Merlins Bridge wonder strike. Lawrenny had chances to get back in to the game before half time as Joe Kidney forced a good save from the keeper and then fired wide when well placed later on.

Lawrenny regrouped after the disappointment of the penalty and half time and responded well in the early exchanges of the second half as Joe Kidney again forced the keeper in to a good save before Tom Cole blazed over from 6 yards from the rebound. Tom Lewis also had a great chance from a tight angle but fired wide. Lawrenny the had claims for another penalty turned down when the defender picked the ball up despite it appearing to have not gone out of play but again the ref said no. Merlins Bridge then took control of the game and made Lawrenny pay for some sloppy defending as they scored 3 goals in quick succession to make it 5-0. Lawrenny rallied towards the end and managed to grab a couple of consolation goals either side of sixth for Bridge the 1st one through Dean Morris as he picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and after beating the defence saw his shot saved by the keeper before rebounding back in off his chest. Joe Kidney then grabbed the last goal of the game as good work from Matty Lewis saw him feed Joe who fired home low in to the corner from 15 yards.

All in all Merlins Bridge were very good value for their win but Lawrenny will lament the penalty decision at 1-0 which could very well have seen the keeper sent off as well a few other questionable calls but ultimately some sloppy defending and poor finishing were Lawrenny’s undoing and meant the score was further apart than the game was itself.