Today Avonmouth could forget about the league again, as they welcomed division 1 league leaders Warmley Rangers for a third round AYL Cup match. We have never played this team before but they have been one of the top teams for many seasons & have a great pedigree, so we knew we were going to have to be at our best to get into the next round of the cup.
Warmley started brightly & were quickly into their stride, playing the ball around with lots of confidence. They were patient in their play with there probing passes looking for an opening to score the first goal. It came as no surprise when they opened the scoring after 20 minutes. The right-winger ran at the Avonmouth defence and after evading several tackles put in a fabulous cross for an inrushing colleague to head the ball into the net. Warmley continued to be in control & Avonmouth had to wait until the 27th minute before their first real attempt on goal. A Dan Stevens throw in, into the penalty box was headed on by Alex Wilkins to Mitch Harris whose first time shot went wide of the post. A few minutes later after some good interlocking play, a Warmley player let fly from just outside the box but saw his shot go wide after hitting a post. Avonmouth managed to get more possession of the ball in the last 10 minutes of the half but Warmley must have felt they should have had more than the one goal they had.
Half Time: Avonmouth 0 Warmley Rangers 1
Five minutes into the half Avonmouth keeper Ryan Scott had to dive bravely at a Warmley players feet to prevent a second goal. For much of the second half both teams shared the possession with the ball mainly being in the midfield area. Neither team could get on top & no real clear goal scoring chances were created. Plenty of balls went into both penalty boxes but both defences were able to cope with anything that was thrown at them. However as the game entered the final 10 minutes, there was still only a one goal difference & Avonmouth were still in the game. On 73 minutes the crucial second goal was scored & it went to the away side. Following some good play on the right, another excellent cross came into the box where the incoming striker nipped in between 2 defenders to slip the ball past the keeper & into the net. As Avonmouth searched for a lifeline they became exposed at the back & following a Warmley break away, keeper Scott had to make a great save from a shot just outside the box to deny a third goal for the away side. No other goal chances were created & the league leaders held on for what turned out to be a comfortable win.
Warmley are not top of the league & cup favourites for nothing. They are a very organised team who at times can play some fabulous slick passing football. Most of them have played together for sometime & know each other’s play inside out. There could be a feeling that today we perhaps gave them too much respect & hopefully when we play them in the league matches we will do ourselves more justice. Despite this, we where still in with a chance with less than 10 minutes left but just could not create the golden chance to get a goal. Good luck to Warmley for the rest of the cup competition & see you soon for the league matches.
Full Time: Avonmouth 0 Warmley Rangers 2
