Avonmouth travelled to third place AEK Boca knowing that today could be a hard test and with this in mind the management team wanted their players to be up for it from the kick off. However it was the home team who made the better start and after only 2 minutes Avonmouth keeper Callum Davis was forced to make a good save after a break from an AEK striker. This was a warning of Boca’s intentions & on 11 minutes they took a deserved lead. The ball was played out to the left & from an excellent cross Josh Curnow placed the ball past Davis. Avonmouth normally react after going a goal down but Boca remained on top & on 3 occasions Davis had to make good saves to keep it at 1-0. It was not until 27 minutes that Avonmouth created their first real chance when from an acute angle a Mitch Harris deflected shot hit the post. However 4 minutes later Harris got the equaliser when from nowhere & well outside the penalty box his speculative shot flew into the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance. The goal was against the run of play but Boca almost retook the lead just before the break when a great shot by a Boca striker produced a tremendous save by Davis.
Half time: AEK Boca 1 Avonmouth 1
After words from the management team Avonmouth started the second half much brighter having several shots on goal without success. However on 43 minutes with their first real attack of the half, Boca were awarded an obvious penalty and Luke Nash coolly put the spot kick away. Avonmouth had to up the tempo & from a corner the Boca keeper somehow managed to keep out a header. Eventually the goal did come on 55 minutes. Harris collected the ball outside the area & after brushing off several defenders broke into the box & expertly placed the ball past the Boca keeper. The game now became even more of a hard but fair battle with both teams trying to get the winning goal. After several attempts at each end Avonmouth won a free kick just inside the Boca half. There seemed to be little danger but up stepped Harris, whose long kick found the top of the net again giving the keeper no chance. The away team managed to see out the remaining time & coming from behind won the game.
There are several ways to win a match & so it proved today with Avonmouth having to battle their way to another 3 points. It is always nice to play attractive flowing football, which is what we try to do most weeks however this was not easy to do today. One reason for this was the Boca performance, which showed today why they are near the top of the table & looking for promotion, good luck to them for the rest of the season. After today’s results we are now 4 points above second placed Coalpit Heath B but also 10 points clear of AEK Boca in third.
Full Time: AEK Boca 2 Avonmouth 3
