Premier Division
Didcot Town 5 Almondsbury Town 1
Saturday, 16 November 2002
In-form striker Ian Concannon grabbed four goals as Didcot easily saw off Almondsbury Town on Saturday watched by a good crowd of 159.
The home side boasted three debutants, keeper Keith McLoughlin, midfielder Lee Nix and up-front Lee Newport, who was recently signed from Wantage Town. Newport and Nix both settled quickly and in the 3rd minute combined to release Terry Morrisey on the right. With Concannon free in the middle only a fine block from Marco Carota prevented Morrisey from crossing into the danger area. But it was a temporary reprieve as Didcot took the lead 3 minutes later. Another surging run down the wing by Morrisey resulted in a pinpoint cross for Concannon who headed home past keeper Tom Sheppard. Didcot stretched the advantage with a superb goal in the 10th minute. Chris Johnson and Darren McNamara exchanged passes and Concannon coolly slotted the ball past Sheppard from 6 yards. Didcot somehow contrived to let Almondsbury back into the game two minutes later. Gary Beale took advantage of a slip from Jamie Heapy to slide the ball home past McLoughlin at the second attempt. Newport and McNamara both came close to adding a third for Didcot with long-range efforts before the injured Nix was replaced by Damien Oglesby. Town deservedly increased their lead on the stroke of half-time. Newport put Concannon clear and he unselfishly squared the ball to substitute Oglesby who made no mistake.
Half Time: 3-1
The 2nd half saw Didcot continue to dominate. Newport was inches away from heading Morrisey?s excellent cross home in the 51st minute and Concannon blasted over when well positioned on the hour. Almost inevitably, Concannon notched his first hat trick of the season moments later. Johnson released Newport on the right flank and his driven cross was turned home by Concannon at the far post. McLoughlin was a virtual spectator in the Town goal for much of the second half although he did make a smart save to deny Chris Langman midway through the half. Didcot weren?t finished at the other end and with 5 minutes remaining Glyn Jones threaded the ball to Concannon who made no mistake from 10 yards to claim his fourth of the afternoon. Substitute Dave Beaven could have added Didcot?s sixth in the last minute but he shot narrowly wide from 25 yards.
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