On a glorious Sunday morning Avonmouth could forget about the league and focus on a GFA Cup match against Southside a team from Gloucester. They came with a good reputation & showed why going 2-0 up after only 7 minutes. The first on 4 minutes came when Britton, a threat all match, collected the ball on the left hand side & drilled a well-aimed shot pass Davis into the corner of the net. Within 3 minutes he had made it 2 when the ball was allowed to reach him & from close in unchallenged headed it into the net. Avonmouth were stunned but after only 10 minutes were level. Almost from the restart a ball over the Southside defence by Jack Hewlett reached Mitch Harris who ran on to coolly put the ball past the keeper. Two minutes later a good ball into the area by Josh Beecham was left by Harris and fell to Montel Riches whose shot went in under the diving keeper. After such a frantic start, play settled down with both teams eager to attack. On 22 minutes from an Avonmouth corner and scramble in the area, a Southside defender cleared off the line. Then the Southside no. 9 was in on goal but keeper Davis did enough to put him off & his shot went wide. However, on 26 minutes Southside regained the lead. A corner was floated in & Wylie unmarked timed his run perfectly to volley the ball into the net. The first half had been a good contest with both sides looking dangerous every time they attacked.
Half time: Avonmouth 2 Southside 3
After the break Southside were again looking for a quick goal & from an early break their no. 15 was only stopped after good defensive play by Hewlett & Lewis. On 42 minutes Avonmouth almost equalised when after a great turn Harris hit the bar with a thunderous shot – there were claims that the ball had gone over the line but play continued. However, on 47 minutes the away side got their fourth goal. A cross came in from the left & at the back post Ainsley unmarked slid in to squeeze the ball into the net. Avonmouth needed goals & on 55 minutes changed formation playing with only 3 at the back. Southside seemed to be coping with everything Avonmouth could throw at them & looked to be home & dry but on 65 minutes Harris scored to make it 3-4. A ball from Sam Reynolds found Harris on the edge of the area from which he managed to hold of the tackles & rifle his shot into the net. This signalled a siege onto the Southside goal as Avonmouth sought the equaliser. However the crosses into the box never fell kindly to a home player & with solid defending Southside hung on to gain a hard fought & deserved win.
In an entertaining match that could have gone either way Southside did enough to eventually and deservedly win through to the next round of the GFA Cup. They were strong & physical but could also play good football & their attacking players were a constant threat – good luck to them for the rest of the competition. Avonmouth tasted defeat for the first time this season & it could be said that some heads & attitudes dropped, however most battled all the way & almost snatched the equaliser. With only 12 players available today a bigger squad may have made a difference & is something the Management team are aware of as we enter the coming months & the challenge of gaining promotion to Division 1.
Full Time: Avonmouth 3 Southside 4
