With no match last week Avonmouth were looking forward to today’s top of the table clash against Coalpit Heath (B). The home team knew they would have to be on top form today & they started off well dominating possession & playing some nice football. However their first real chance came after 15 minutes when a lovely pass by Luke French put Montel Riches through but unfortunately his left foot shot went straight to the keeper. There followed some snap shots by Mitch Harris that went wide and the away defence was holding firm against anything thrown at them. It seemed something special was going to be needed to break the deadlock & so it proved after 25minutes. Following some midfield tussles the ball fell to French whose terrific shot from well outside the box flew into the top of the net giving the keeper no chance. A few minutes later from a Harris corner, Jack Hewlett headed just wide of the post. However, on 30 minutes the second goal did arrive when again from outside the box Sam Reynolds produced a perfect lob to give Avonmouth what appeared a deserved & comfortable lead at the interval.
Half Time: Avonmouth 2 Coalpit Heath (B) 0
After the break, Avonmouth, similar to the first half, had the majority of the play but could not create any good openings. As with most games at 2-0, the third goal is so very important & after 50minutes it arrived when from a Coalpit defensive clearance Jacob Williams managed to get to the ball first & his delicate shot went in off the post. The goal gave the away side even more determination & they were now looking for the equaliser. On 55 minutes Coalpit were awarded a free kick near the right hand side touch line. There seemed to be little danger however Ashton Coleman stepped up & hit a tremendous shot that just eluded keeper Callum Davis and into the net. The match was now on a knife-edge, both teams searching for the winner with shots being fired in at both ends. During the match Avonmouth striker Harris had been well marked often having 3 Coalpit players around him. However, in the final few minutes he managed to get 2 chances to score. The first was when a cross from the right, gave him a first time shot close to the penalty spot which went straight to the keeper. Then from a corner he got to the ball first but saw his header go just over the bar. As the game went into injury time it seemed the game was going to end as a draw, however there was a sting in the tail. A hopeful ball into the penalty box seemed to belong to the Coalpit defence however Harris did not give up & managed to win the ball. He cut in, went past a defender & unleashed a shot that produced a great save by the keeper who could then only watch as the ball fell kindly to Montel Riches whose shot because of the mud crept past the line and into the net for the winner.
In a match that was a credit to division 2, Coalpit Heath can feel that their second half performance & fighting spirit deserved a draw & no one could complain if they had got it – good luck to them for the rest of the season. Avonmouth showed that they keep going to the final whistle & earned their reward with that attitude today – in the past they may not have done so. With today’s other results, this important win now means we are 7 points clear of second placed Bromley Heath & 10 points above Coalpit Heath (B) in third.
Full Time: Avonmouth 3 Coalpit Heath (B) 2
