After last weeks league results Avonmouth had suddenly & unexpectedly found themselves top of division 1 & so were in high spirits for today’s second round GFA Cup match away to Southmead. They are currently in the bottom half of the AYL division 5 but after last weeks surprising shock results nothing could be taken for granted by the Avonmouth coaches & players.
Avonmouth started very brightly & almost straight away from a Prevan Rajh corner Alex Wilkins headed just over the bar. Shortly afterwards a Rajh shot produced the first of many great saves by the home keeper. However, Avonmouth could not be denied & on 8 minutes got the opening goal when another perfect Rajh corner was headed into the net by captain Jack Hewlett. Within 3 minutes goal number 2 arrived following a Dan Steven throw in into the box, which eventually found Mitch Harris who drilled his close range shot into the net. Soon it became 3 nil when a Josh Beecham cross from the right was headed into the net by James Skelton. On 18 minutes it became 4 when following good play by Harris, Skelton fired his shot high into the net giving the home keeper no chance at all. For the rest of the first half shots rained in on the Southmead goal, but thanks to some great saves by the home keeper & some indifferent attempts no further goals where scored by the away side.
Half time: Southmead 0 Avonmouth 4
Avonmouth started the second half as they did the first & the next goal came on 42 minutes when following a Harris shot which was well saved by the keeper the ball fell kindly to Jordan Bishop who fired the ball into an empty net. Shortly afterwards Beecham scored from close in to make it 6 nil. Within 2 minutes it almost became 7 when a thunderous shot from well outside the box by Rajh cannoned off the bar. Avonmouth where now encamped in the Southmead penalty box with almost everyone having attempts at goal. Further goals came from Harris, Montel Riches, Rajh, Stevens & then finally goal number 11 by Skelton who claimed his hat trick with a stunning strike from outside the box. As in the first half, only great saves by the Southmead keeper & wayward finishing restricted the score to 11. With time running out a very controversial incident happened. There was a tussle for the ball in midfield when the ref suddenly blew & talked to an Avonmouth player. To everyone’s complete & utter amazement the ref pulled out a red card to send the boy off. More could be said about this incident but those who witnessed it could not believe what had happened & the referee’s actions.
Avonmouth produced a convincing performance & played some good football. We may have done this against a division 5 side, but these games still have to be dealt with & won. However, today’s game may unfortunately be remembered for the referee’s harsh actions near the end of the game, which spoilt the afternoon. Next week we are back in league action at home against Stoke Lane.
Full Time: Southmead 0 Avonmouth 11
