Avonmouth travelled to Hursley Lane a new venue for the team, to play Bristol Spartak a team they beat 7 – 0 earlier in the season. However, if anyone thought it was going to be that easy this time were in for a shock as Spartak started brightly & after a few minutes only a last ditch tackle by Haydn Curtis prevented a Spartak striker from having a great chance to score the first goal. After 12 minutes though the home team got their reward when Avonmouth lost possession in midfield & following a good pass into the box Dell Shepherd managed to control the ball & shoot past the diving keeper, Callum Davis. Within 3 minutes Avonmouth missed a great chance to level when after some great passing football Luke French was brought down inside the box. After a delay, French took the penalty himself but saw the home keeper make a good save, tipping the shot over the bar. This spurred Avonmouth on & various chances were missed before the equaliser finally arrived. Following good defensive play by Ollie Lewis, Jack Hewlett hit a ball out of defence that Mitch Harris was able to get onto the end of & with great assurance hit his shot low into the corner of the net. Chances followed at each end & but it appeared the teams would be even at half time but just before the break Shepherd collected the ball inside the box & unchallenged saw his shot from an acute angle go in off the post.
Half Time: Bristol Spartak 2 Avonmouth 1
The Avonmouth coaches had some strong words to say during the break, but it was again Spartak who started the better in the second half. The turning point of the game came after 38 minutes. From a corner Spartak had a great chance to make it 3 –1 but keeper Davis produced a tremendous save. The ball was immediately played out of the Avonmouth defence & eventually reached Charlie Parker on the left hand side of the Spartak box. There appeared to be little danger but he cleverly got round a defender & unleashed a great left foot shot high into the net. Lifted by the goal Avonmouth started to play some good football & created numerous chances that were not taken. However, the home team were always a threat & the feeling was that the next goal would win the match. On 50 minutes the next goal arrived for Avonmouth when from a pinpoint Harris corner Jeriel Riches put an unstoppable header past the keeper. Spartak had put a tremendous amount of hard work into the game but were now beginning to tire & it seemed only amount of time before the next goal came. Near the hour mark Harris collected the ball just inside the Spartak half. He then ran at the defence & again used his pace & power to go past the defenders in front of him & once inside the box produced an excellent finish to make it 4 – 2. Despite further Avonmouth chances no more goals were scored & the away side were able to comfortably see out the rest of the match.
In a good lively entertaining match Avonmouth again showed great attitude & spirit in twice coming from behind to earn a hard fought win. All credit must also go to Spartrak, who for most of the game gave as good as they got in a physical battle. Well done to both teams for an enjoyable match to watch.
Full Time: Bristol Spartak 2 Avonmouth 4
