Avonmouth V AEK BOCO
Again today, Avonmouth could forget about the league as they welcomed another division 2 team, AEK BOCO, for a GFA Cup match. BOCO, like last weeks opponents Keynsham, have had a great start to the season, winning 4 matches out of 4 so far & also knocked out division 1 St Aldhelms in the AYL Cup last week. They are another team who we have had great clashes with in the past & so a hard game was to be expected.
BOCO started on the front foot & after seeing a shot hit the Avonmouth post they deservedly took the lead after 10 minutes. They had forced a corner & from the resultant kick one of their players headed the ball into the net. The following 15 minutes became a midfield battle but as the game wore on Avonmouth began to get on top, although no clear-cut chances were created. It appeared BOCO were going to go in at half time with a lead but 2 minutes into injury time the home team forged an equaliser. Mitch Harris gathered the ball on the right hand side & after beating a couple of defenders, rifled his shot high into the net giving the keeper no chance.
Half time: Avonmouth 1 AEK BOCO 1
Avonmouth started the second half with more purpose & it was not long before they had a great chance to go ahead. Jordan Bishop won the ball on the left & following a run into the penalty box put a superb ball low into the six-yard area. However, with the goal at his mercy Sam Eastwood somehow managed to put the ball over the crossbar. Shortly afterwards, following a good run on the right, James Skelton put another great pass into the penalty area but Bishop & Luke French between them missed the opportunity to score. Avonmouth were now on top but BOCO from 2 corners came close to taking the lead. From the first, a BOCO player got to the ball but saw his header cleared off the line near the post by Aaron Davies. Then from another corner, a BOCO player saw his looping header cleared off the line, this time by Jack Hewlett. Despite these chances Avonmouth looked the more dangerous & with 6 minutes left eventually took the lead. Harris had been a constant threat & following an intricate ball into the box by Alex Wilkins he found himself with only the keeper to beat. Harris shot at goal and despite a great attempt by the goalie, the ball ended up in the back of the net. Avonmouth were able to see out the remaining minutes & then, again in injury time following a neat flick by Montel Riches, Harris made the game safe by slotting the ball past the keeper into the net for his hat-trick.
For the second week in a row Avonmouth have left it late to secure a win in a cup competition. Although again not at their best, we did enough to earn the victory & again have shown that if we go behind, there is enough spirit & will to come back & win the game. Next week we are back in league action against our old rivals Coalpit Heath.
Full Time: Avonmouth 3 AEK BOCO 1
