With Beech away, coming off the back off 2 losses and the start of a new season in a higher division everyone was wondering how would the team respond?!?
On a warm Sunday morning Avonmouth started the game brightly and quickly found there feet playing some crisp football. With confidence high it did not take Avonmouth long before they started to test the Wanderers keeper. The deadlock was finally broken approximately 10 minutes in when the opposition defence was split and Mitchell Harris fired in a ferocious shot from the edge of the 18 yard box that found it's way into the top left hand corner. Avonmouth maintained this bright start and were a constant threat shortly after going 1-0 up a ball played over the top allowed Charlie Parker to score through an audacious lob that would be worthy of goal of the season at any standard.
Avonmouth did allow themselves the odd lapse in concentration which meant Callum had to be on alert to prevent Wanderers getting back into the game. The defence led by the ever reliable Davis made sure the play was squeezed up which meant constant pressure for the away team. French, Hewlett and Beecham were seeing plenty of the ball and were dictating the play spraying passes across the park. Hewlett put the team 3-0 up latching onto a though ball and coolly slotted home which delighted the home fans.
The introduction of Reynolds meant the powerful striker caused the away defence serious problems and it did not take him long to join in on the act and get on the score sheet, a deft header saw him take the ball pass the keeper and put the ball in the net. A 4th through Hewlett quickly followed and Avonmouth looked to be in control, Harris got another and was on course for a hat trick. However Wanderers pacy right winger meant we had to be on alert Riches however was doing a superb job on the left and tracked back and teamed up with Day to prevent any danger. They did manage to get a goal back before half time which meant Avonmouth led 5-1 at the break.
At half time Hanson & Day talked about not being caught cold at the start of the half and allow the opposition back into the game. Sure enough Avonmouth did not get off to the best of starts and Wanderers got another one back, how would the team come back from this? The answer was that following a whipped cross from Beecham, the ball sat up nicely for French to fire in a powerful half volley that found it's way into the bottom right corner! Avonmouth made sure of the points with smart finishing from Reynolds that led him to get his second and then his hat trick to put him top of the scoring charts! With Avonmouth pressing and looking for goals Wanderers right winger ran with the ball and fired in a shot from the edge of the box that gave Davis no chance. Beecham, Harris and French all had further chances but could not convert any. Hewlett wrapped up the points making it 9-3 which meant Avonmouth lead the way at the top of table albeit after 1 game!!
Riches was named MOM through his tireless work and great link up play. The whole team overal were superb from the keeper to the defence, midfield and strikers everyone worked hard and it was a joy to be a part of.
Avonmouth came off the pitch to cheers from the parents who were impressed with the performance put in by them. A special thanks must go to Sean Day for helping out today and keeping the boys in check and making them play some great football.
Who need Beech?!?!?
Well Done!
Marc Hanson
