After a couple of recent close encounters with Warmley we today paid a visit to one of our old rivals Fry Club Colts. Although they are currently in the bottom half of the table we have always had close games with them in the past & in our home fixture against them earlier in the season we managed to come out as the winners in a 5 – 4 result.
Avonmouth started brightly & after only five minutes took the lead with a goal of real quality. Following good play on the right Mitch Harris sent over a teasing cross that reached Montel Riches, who after bringing the ball under control rolled a lovely pass back to the incoming Alex Williams, whose first time shot from the edge of the box flew into the net giving the keeper no chance. Shortly afterwards it almost became two when from a Sam Eastwood corner a Wilkins header went just wide of the post. The home team gradually came back into the game but due to fine Avonmouth defending they could not create any real opportunities to score, however they did look dangerous with their corner kicks. Avonmouth continued to probe for the second goal & almost got it following a corner. Another good centre in by Eastwood ended with a James Skelton shot being blocked but when the rebound fell kindly to Mitch Day his shot from close in flashed over the bar.
Half Time: Fry Club Colts 0 Avonmouth 1
Immediately from the restart Avonmouth looked for the game clinching second goal. Skelton did well on the right and following his cross, Montel Riches had the goal at his mercy, but his effort was cleared, by great defending by a Fry defender. The away side continued to press forward & surely it was only going to be a matter of time before the second goal, but unfortunately there followed a catalogue of missed chances. An Eastwood shot went just wide of the post & then a Harris cross was headed wide by Prevan Rajh. Great trickery on the right by Riches ended with a splendid cross into the box where Harris was waiting to pounce to have a great chance of scoring, however from nowhere a Fry defender came diving in and managed to divert the ball towards his own goal but unfortunately for Avonmouth the ball went straight into the arms of the Fry Keeper. If the ball had gone a yard either side it would have been a goal. Next, after his superb mazy run on the right, Harris delivered a great cross which was headed towards goal by Riches, however this time the Fry keeper made a great save diving to his right, the loose ball arrived to Lucas Tsiopani but his shot went agonisingly wide of the post. If any of these chances had been converted the game would have been over but to their credit the Fry Team started to attack & with 10 minutes left got an unlikely equaliser. A ball into the Avonmouth penalty box was not cleared & the Fry striker’s effort was well saved by keeper Sam Reynolds, however, the rebound fell kindly to the striker & he headed the ball into the net. With no fit players to come on Avonmouth appeared to tire & all of a sudden the home team were on top looking for the winner. First Reynolds had to make a good save from a shot & then when a Fry striker chipped the ball over the advancing Reynolds Jack Hewlett was able get back & head the ball off the line & out for a corner. With time running out there had to be one more chance & sure enough after some good build up play a Fry striker just inside the penalty box let fly with a rasping low shot but somehow Reynolds diving to his right pulled off a superb save to deny Colts a home win.
This was a match where for 70 minutes Avonmouth were in control & should have earned a comfortable win but for the last 10 minutes were hanging on for a draw. As mentioned on previous matches we have to start converting our chances or as we almost did in this match we will pay the penalty. It is a shame because some of the football we played today was very good & if we had won by a few goals like we should have done, it could have been called a good victory & performance. If we continue to play the way we did for the majority of this game & create so many good chances then we will win most games. Next Sunday is the match we have all been waiting for - the GFA Cup Final against Bristol City Supporters Club, lets hope it ends as a great day for everyone connected to the club.
Full Time: Fry Club Colts 1 Avonmouth 1
