With the title already won Avonmouth’s aim for the rest of the season was to remain unbeaten & with 3 homes games left this seemed very possible. The first of these games was against Oldland today & for the first 10 minutes there seemed to be little evidence of what was to come. However, despite possession Avonmouth did not create many chances & after 15 minutes a good move by Oldland almost gave them the lead when a shot went just wide of the post. The home team did not heed the warning & after 19 minutes Oldland took the lead. Avonmouth lost the ball in midfield & good play on the left ended with a lovely cross in - great defending by Haydn Curtis prevented a goal but the ball was not cleared & it eventually fell to Dan Williams who smashed a great shot past keeper Callum Davis into the net. The goal gave Oldland great confidence & only a good save by Davis prevented another goal. On 25 minutes it should have been 2 when a great pass found Sam Kitson with only the keeper to beat but he pulled his wide of the post. The away side were in total command & first to every ball while Avonmouth where restricted to a few shots from outside the box.
Half Time: Avonmouth 0 Oldland Abbotonians 1
Surely Avonmouth would be better in the second half but after a reasonable start from them, Oldland soon got their second goal. There seemed to be little danger as a cross came in from the right but from a routine save, keeper Davis lost control of the ball but redeemed himself, by reacting quickly to save the following close range shot. However, while making the save Davis appeared injured and Kitson amongst the confusion fired home into the unguarded net. The goal shook Avonmouth & they were in disarray with many passes going astray. Oldland took advantage & soon made it 3 after 45 minutes. Again there seemed to be little danger as the ball was played over the top however sleight hesitation by keeper Davis meant that Kitson was able to get to the ball first & he finished coolly to collect his second goal. Avonmouth now had to respond & created some good chances to score. Good play by Sam Reynolds gave Mitch Harris an opportunity but his chip over the advancing keeper went over the bar. Then a good run by Jack Hewlett ended with his shot being brilliantly saved by the Oldland keeper. On 55 minutes the goal finally arrived. Good play on the right by Harris ended with Reynolds sending over a cross, which was superbly volleyed in by Charlie Parker. Avonmouth searched for another goal but despite several attempts could not score. In injury time Parker went into a tussle with the keeper & the loose ball fell to Reynolds who managed to fire the ball into the net. Parker was injured in the process but within a few minutes of the restart the whistle was blown to end the match.
Unfortunately, we seemed to have no desire or heart until it was too late & so got what we deserved today. Some said it was our worst performance for 3 years but that should not take anything away from Oldland who thoroughly deserved to win. It is not always easy to perform when you have already won the league but we will have to do far better next season if we are to survive in Division 1.
Full Time: Avonmouth 2 Oldland Abbotonians 3
