FA Cup First Qualifying Round

Lydney Town 1-2 Lymington Town

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A BATTLING performance by a below-strength Lydney side was not quite enough to keep alive the club’s best-ever FA Cup run.

Town had never been this far in the competition in its 107-year history, but defeat meant they missed out on a money-making tie with former Football League outfit Torquay United.

Meanwhile, Cinderford have a second qualifying round trip to Poole after beating Cadbury Heath 1-0 away.

Lydney, who gave a debut to Jordi Sheen, almost got their first qualifying round replay off to a dream start, only for Lewis Thompson’s first-minute effort to hit a defender and go over the bar.

Reserve keeper Lewis Boughton, who was named Lydney’s player of the match, made some outstanding saves and the game was deadlocked at the break.

Lydney went behind five minutes into the second period when The Linnets were awarded a penalty for a late challenge.

The Severnsiders responded well with Matty Board firing over from distance and Thompson and Sam Wines always looking a threat.

The home section of the 300-strong crowd were given hope when Sheen raced down the right with 20 minutes to go.

His volley found Thompson who wrestled possession from his marker to shoot across the goal to level the game.

Boosted by drawing level, Lydney pressed forward winning a number of corners and seeing Wines go close.

But the turning point came when, with only the keeper to beat, Thompson curled his shot inches over the bar.

The visitors from Hampshire hit back with Jake King firing in to clinch the game with four minutes to go.

The club thanked the crowd for its ‘amazing’ support at the Tuesday night fixture (September 11).

Lydney host Reading City in Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday.