After last week’s tremendous GFA Cup Semi Final victory against Warmley we today got back to the normal league action & as so often happens in these circumstances our visitors today where none other than Warmley. Despite losing to us last week Warmley had some good news in that because of Yates surprise defeat at Keynsham they remained top of the division. No doubt Warmley would today be out for a very quick revenge for their cup defeat & gain the win that would maintain their place at the top.
The away side started the better looking for the early goal but could not create anything decisive, but then as Avonmouth started to come more into the game Warmley delivered the first blow. On the fifteen minute mark, the away side were awarded a free kick a long way out of the penalty box. Sam Wentland struck his kick well but the shot seemed to be safely gathered by Sam Reynolds the deputy keeper, however the ball then slipped from his grasp & unfortunately for the home side ended up going over the line for the opening goal. Avonmouth responded immediately & after a good run on the right Sam Eastwood pulled the ball back to Mitch Harris whose first time strike produced a great save by the Warmley keeper. Shortly afterwards a flowing move started with Mitch Day passing to Montel Riches who sent a lovely pass out wide to James Skelton whose fine cross was put out for a corner by a defender, preventing Harris from claiming an equaliser. The resultant corner saw a great goal bound header from Dan Steven that produced a save on the line & eventually the ball was cleared for another Avonmouth corner. This time Eastwood’s kick was perfectly swung in with pace & the Warmley keeper (under pressure from Avonmouth players) could only help the ball into the net for the leveller. Avonmouth now enjoyed the lion’s share of possession. Clever play by Skelton on the right enabled Eastwood to have a shot on goal that went just wide of the post & shortly afterwards following another Eastwood free kick, Harris this time saw his attempt cleared off the line. With five minutes of the half remaining there where big shouts for an Avonmouth penalty when a shot was prevented from hitting the back of the net with what appeared to be a Warmley defenders hand. However, Warmley were always a threat on the break & had their moments with one such attack ending with Reynolds making a great save to deny the away side retaking the lead.
Half time: Avonmouth 1 Warmley Rangers 1
The first half had seen plenty of excitement with good attacking play from both sides & the same would have been expected for the second but it did not pan out this way. Both teams enjoyed plenty of possession but any crosses going into the penalty box never fell kindly for either team to have a clear & decisive attempt on goal. The defences where well on top & any shots on goal came from outside the box & comfortably dealt with by both keepers. With only a few minutes remaining Harris sent over a teasing cross, which ended up with Riches perfectly setting up Eastwood for a shot on goal but unfortunately his effort was well saved by the Warmley keeper. Shortly afterwards the referee blew his whistle with the game ending in a stalemate.
For two weeks in a row the favourites & current league leaders have been unable to force a win against us. Again today, Avonmouth were a match for anything that they could produce in a game with both teams playing equally well. It is a testament to how well we are currently playing in that we can feel disappointed that we did not follow up last week’s victory with another win. It is interesting to note that Warmley have only failed to score more than one goal in three matches this season & two of those have come against us in quick succession, which again is further proof to how well our team is defending – well done boys today on another good performance.
Full Time: Avonmouth 1 Warmley Rangers 1
