After last weeks surprise first league defeat of the season Avonmouth were looking forward to getting back to winning ways against previously difficult opponents Coalpit Heath (A). The home team started brightly enough & after 7 minutes a good cross by Mitch Harris gave Jeriel Ritches a chance to score but his close range shot went over the bar. Then 10 minutes later Coalpit had their first real chance when following a good move their striker shot just wide of the post. The best chance of the half came on 20 minutes. Some good passing football allowed Harris to have a shot at goal but the keeper made a great save, however the ball fell to Charlie Parker but with the goal at his mercy he miss-kicked the ball allowing Coalpit time to clear to safety. Just before half time a good break by the away side gave their striker a good chance to score but his effort produced an excellent save by keeper Callum Davis. The majority of the half had been even with defences generally on top – it appeared 1 goal maybe enough to win the game.
Half Time: Avonmouth 0 Coalpit Heath (A) 0
Early in the second half an Avonmouth free kick by Josh Beecham was hit just over the bar but on 50 minutes the deadlock was broken. Coalpit won possession in midfield & following a clever ball over the home defence Will Sambrooke suddenly had time & space to coolly place his low shot past the keeper into the net. Avonmouth could not respond to going a goal down so the gamble was made to change formation. As the game progressed the home defence was becoming more & more exposed & the second Coalpit goal came on the hour mark. A good move on the left allowed Kyle Poole to put in a cross, which unfortunately Keeper Davis diverted into his own net. Again there was not the usual response from Avonmouth & it was no surprise when Coalpit made it 3 – 0 shortly before the end. A ball into the penalty box picked out striker Sam Bressington who managed to hold off a defender & then following an excellent turn smashed an unstoppable shot high into the net. The win was thoroughly deserved by Coalpit & the huge cheer by the players, coaches & parents showed how much this win meant to them – well done.
There maybe an excuse that we have already won the league & our last 2 opponents have had more desire & commitment to win the games because they want to beat the champions. However, our coaches do have high standards & these have clearly not been met for whatever reason in the last 2 games. We have 1 more match left to put on a performance & end the season with a bang. Amazingly, after going 37 league games covering 2 seasons without defeat Avonmouth have now lost 2 in a row. Just as astonishing is that previous to these defeats the last home loss was in April 2009. However, perhaps the most incredible stat from today’s game is that it is the first time in an Avon Youth League game we have failed to score a goal. That is 2 games short of 4 seasons of football & 88 matches. These are facts that we should be very proud off & should not forget. We should also remember that we have won every division for the last 4 years. Any team would be proud to have these records.
Full Time: Avonmouth 0 Coalpit Heath (A) 3
