On a glorious sunny morning Avonmouth travelled to Bradley Stoke looking to end a run of 3 games without a win. The away side were looking for a good start and within 2 minutes were 2-0 up. Almost straight from the kick off a clearance by Jack Hewlett caught the Bradley Stoke defence unprepared which allowed Mitch Harris to run on towards the goal unchallenged & hit an unstoppable shot into the net. The Avonmouth supporters had hardly stopped celebrating when the second goal was scored. Mitch Day picked the ball up on the left hand side & his pass found Harris whose shot again gave the keeper no chance. More goals could have quickly followed. On 5 minutes in an almost carbon copy of the first goal a long ball by Hewlett found Harris but this time he shot wide. Minutes later a long kick by keeper Callum Davis also found Harris who again shot wide. Shortly afterwards Stoke had their first attempt on target when the ball was fed out to the right & the no 8 had a shot which was pushed wide of the post by Davis. The home team were more in the game but Harris was always a threat & after another clearance he had a good chance to get his third but hit it over the bar. However the third goal did come on 22 minutes. A Harris cross from the right eventually found Jeriel Riches on the left side of the penalty box & then expertly curled his shot into the top right corner of the net. After half an hour a precise through ball by Charlie Parker gave Harris the chance of a hat trick & this time he made no mistake & stroked the ball past the keeper.
Half time: Bradley Stoke Youth 0 Avonmouth 4
Avonmouth started the second half on top but Bradley Stoke were tighter in defence & midfield. It was not until 55 minutes that a great opening was created but instead of passing to unmarked colleagues Harris went for goal from an impossible angle although the shot did hit the post. Ten minutes later Stoke had their best chance but a stupendous treble save (stop, flick & block) by Davis denied them a goal. With 3 minutes left some trickery by Montel Riches gave Harris a chance for no 5 but the Stoke keeper made a great save. However, from the following corner a mad scramble in the 6-yard box eventually let Sam Reynolds poke the ball into the net. Avonmouth ended the game as they started by getting another quick goal almost from the kick off. A great pass from the right by Montel Riches found Harris who coolly put the ball past the goalkeeper into the net.
Good luck to Bradley Stoke for the rest of the season in their battle to climb up the table, which is possible after their second half performance. Avonmouth got a much needed win but it was the teams display & attitude that probably pleased the management team most today. There were good solid performances throughout & the result should give all the boys confidence for the approaching matches. We remain unbeaten in the league & top of the table, 1 point above Coalpit Heath (B).
Full Time: Bradley Stoke Youth 0 Avonmouth 6
