It only seems like yesterday that we were celebrating another promotion, but it has been a busy summer for Avonmouth. Last season we had a small squad & were very fortunate that we did not suffer any major injuries or illness, which could have caused us problems. With this in mind & also the fact that we are going to be in an extremely tough league, Tony, Sean & Mark knew that not only did we have to bring in new faces, but players that would add extra quality to the squad. I am pleased to report that 6 good quality players have signed for the club and most are from Avon Youth & Somerset League teams. Our new players were brought in early so that they could play in the summer tournaments & gel together with the existing team members. The team won trophies in both 6 & 11 a side summer tournaments so there is more optimism for the coming season then there was at the beginning of the summer. It is great to win tournaments but how will we cope in the top division?
As always there are going to be players who for various reasons leave a club & we have lost 3 boys during the break. All of Avonmouth football club would like to say a big thank you to Ollie Lewis, Charlie Parker & Callum Davis for all that they have done in previous promotion winning seasons. We wish them well and all the best in their future football & sporting careers.
For our first game we welcomed Avon Athletic, a long established Division 1 team. Following a good even start it was Avon who fashioned the first attempt at goal but the shot just outside the box went over the bar. However, after only 10 minutes came the most controversial incident seen at Avonmouth for some years; a pass found Montel Riches on the edge of the penalty box who expertly turned his marker to have a clear run on goal, but before that run could be made Riches was blatantly taken down by the Avon defender. After the foul, the ball fell kindly to Mitch Harris but before he could run on goal the referee blew for the foul – could he have played advantage to see if a goal was scored and as the defender was the last man, should he have not been sent off? The referee decided not to issue a card of any colour. From the resultant free kick Sam Eastwood saw his brilliant shot ricochet off the bar & thankfully for Avon, to safety. Shortly afterwards, a lovely ball by Prevan Rajh again found Riches clean through but his shot not only went past the keeper but agonisingly just wide of the post. Both teams attacked to get the opening goal & following an Avon shot just wide a great Harris cross to the back post could not be headed in by Lucas Tsiopani. Just before half time there was a huge scramble in the home penalty box, which resulted in keeper Sam Reynolds somehow managing to stop the ball going into the net (most people after the game are still not sure how the ball stayed out).
Half Time: Avonmouth 0 Avon Ahletic 0
Soon after the break there was a scare for Avonmouth when, on an Avon break away, Reynolds suddenly found himself out of the goal, but fortunately there were enough defenders to prevent Avon from getting a clear shot on goal. As the game wore on it became a hard, tough, but fair battle all over the pitch with both teams giving everything. In the first half it appeared that Avon were winning most of the 50 – 50 challenges, however in the second half this appeared to swing the other way. Avonmouth were also beginning to put in great crosses from both sides of the pitch but each time they just eluded any attacking players in the box. James Skelton was pushed further forward & began making some great runs, which were causing Avon problems. As the game entered the last 10 minutes I think both teams would have been happy for a 0-0 draw & that appeared to be how it was going to end until some excellent play produced the opening goal. Tsiopani picked the ball up near the half way line. He then ran at the Avon players & at the right time put an exquisite defence splitting pass through to Skelton who managed to hold off his marker & coolly slip the ball past the oncoming keeper into the net. The home team players, coaches & supporters went wild but could they hang on for the final minutes? Avon searched for the equaliser but Avonmouth withstood any attack & the ref finally blew for the end of the match.
So there it was, our first game & a win in the top division – an entertaining, enjoyable but tough match that could have gone either way. All the new & existing Avonmouth players gelled together well & everyone seemed to know what they had to do. Every single boy put in 100% & seemed to battle & play for each other which was great to witness. There was also the added bonus of a clean sheet. There was no Avonmouth man of the match as coach Tony Beecham said they all played well. It was a great start to the season, but we know there are going to be even tougher games to come & we will have to consistently play at this level to get any reward.
Full Time: Avonmouth 1 Avon Athletic 0
