What a difference a week makes.
Played in a monsoon last week and brilliant sunshine today.
Last week Lydd let slip a 3-1 lead.
This week they saw the same lead out comfortably.
Lydd lost to Bettshanger a few weeks ago in a preseason friendly and they did the double over Lydd last season.
But the football has improved, even if results haven’t shown that.
The first half was a scrappy a-fair from Lydd’s point of view. Working hard to win the ball, but giving it away cheaply. Plus a lack of communication made life hard.
Bettshanger took a deserved lead after Harris had kept them at bay with some good saves.
That seemed to galvanise Lydd and they started to play some better football.
One good move down the right gave Amber Bristow a shot at goal, only for the keeper to tip it onto the post.
Lydd kept pressing and Lara Conceicao equalised right on half time.
A few tweaks at half time and Lydd came out much calmer in possession.
The back four were solid all game which game lydd the platform to push forward.
The midfield combining well to push attacks forward.
Lydd took the lead as Gennery was fouled, but the ball fell to Conceicao who went through and put it past the keeper to take the lead.
Not long after, Williams added a third to put Lydd firmly in control.
It was now about seeing the game out and learning from last week.
This week, they did and fully deserved the win which takes them into the draw for the next round.
Manager Andy Lane -
At times we didn’t play well today, but we dug in and battled for the ball.
When it did click, we put some really good moves together and scored some very good goals.
This was a good solid team performance and everyone put a shift in, which is what I want from my players. They can all be proud of themselves.
We learnt from last week and kept going to the final whistle.