Walcott on mark to make the point

Ardley came away from Lydney with a well-deserved premier division point in Saturday’s 1-1 draw which both teams could have won late on but for missed chances. In the opening period neither side got to grips with the conditions. Ardley had more possession but found it hard to break down the hosts especially with their aerial dominance and big defenders monitoring Leam Howards. With Bradley Cox suspended and Chris Jackson unavailable, Joel Meade had to soldier on despite a nasty hand injury but he led the troops in defence and in attack. The home side took the lead on the half-hour mark when Declan Morley-Lyne was tripped just inside the box. Morley-Lyne saw his spot-kick saved by Lee Farrow but he netted from the rebound with the Ardley keeper still floored by the initial save. Dan Meade, Troy Bryan and Howards all had efforts charged down. Town keeper Alex Harris saved well from Meade down at the foot of his post but just before the break a poor clearance saw the ball fall to Tom Maxted and his shot cannoned back off the bar. After the break Farrow saved well from Jamie Addis and Niall Halford before Harris made a double save from Howards. With 13 minutes left Ardley finally found the equaliser when Walcott cut in from the right and beat his marker before curling a shot inside the far post. Chances came at both ends late on. A cross eluded everyone and Addis could only head over, Meade blazed over and in added-time Liam Sheppard raced away but Farrow smothered his shot. At the other end Howards shook off his marker but he never got any power on his shot to trouble Harris. Substitute Ryan Pendrey missed the game’s last chance when he shot wide. Manager Paul Davis said: “We did enough to win the game and we’re disappointed not to be leaving with three points. But not many teams will come here and take any points home with them so we’re pleased to keep our run going.”