Page 17 - Avonmouth FC v Stoke Gifford 230324

Webb struck a superb shot past the hapless Bignell. Webb almost scored again on 10
minutes, his back post header superbly clawed away by Bignell. On 12 minutes Gala had
their first sight on goal when a dipping swerving effort by Antonio Pirelli was smartly saved
by Jordan Dunning. On nineteen minutes Webb got his second of the match with another
good finish after being played through by Brandon Boontam and on 26 minutes Boontam
himself struck a free kick from the edge of the box which curled around the wall and nestled
in the corner of the net. On thirty-two James got back in the act with a smart flicked finish
again from a cross by the impressive Webb. Gala started the second half pressing Rockleaze
with no signs of heads dropping. But soon the hosts were back on the attack and Webb’s
shot was well saved by Bignell. With twenty minutes to go Marcus Williams got behind the
Gala defence and pulled the ball back for James Goulden to pass it into the net from six
yards. Five minutes later Tate Shaw on for man of the match Webb smashed the ball past
Bignell from the edge of the box for the eighth Rockleaze goal and the scoring was
completed on 84 minutes with a really good header by Jenson Beard from a Sam Bailey
corner. It was a game where the hosts took their chances and there could have been a few
more but for some inspired goalkeeping from Oscar Bignell, but 9-0 it finished.
To Vicarage Road, where Hanham Athletic played Wick for a desperately needed a home
match. For the first 25 minutes both sides were sizing each other up with several chances
going begging but it was Wick who took the lead on 26 when Brad Abraham charged down
a clearance from keeper Sam Brown for the ball to spin slowly into the bottom of the net.
Hanham almost equalised on the half hour but Karim Rendall’s shot was well saved by
Ashton Trott. Wick started the second half well and it took a fine save by Sam Brown to deny
Micky Goulding a second for the visitors. Hanham’s equaliser came on 75 minutes from the
spot, Jacob Saunders stepping up to thunder the ball into the top left-hand corner of the
Wick goal. Hanham got an unlikely second goal on eighty minutes when Richard Wathens
flick on was somehow allowed to go in by keeper Trott. Hanham added another when Karim
Rendall headed home a superb Brandon Barnes free kick and a final score of 3-1 for
Hanham.
To the Les James League Cup first semi final with Stoke Gifford United taking
on Sharpness. The opening half was a cagey affair with both teams cancelling each other
out. On twelve minutes Devanti McInerny put a marker down against the Sharks defence
flying down the left wing and pulling back for Spike Weaver who drew a sharp stop from
James Russell. Sharpness looked at their biggest threat from set pieces and on 27 couldn’t
quite find the right finish in a goalmouth scramble as Gifford blocked bravely. The remainder
of the half saw Sharpness testing the Gifford back line with set pieces that were mostly
defended well and Gifford looking to exploit Sharpness down the flanks but neither team
creating anything much. The second half began with the Sharks looking the more likely, a
Tom Frankham free kick was saved by Oli Gargett and back-to-back corners caused some
panic in the Gifford back line. The game changed on seventy minutes, Barry was released
down the right wing and looked to have scored but Russell produced a fine save. The
resulting corner ended with Rudy Hill firing on target, Russell could only parry, but Joe Bridge
was on hand to poke home. On 78 minutes Barry caused mayhem again drifting in field he
teed up Spike Weaver who was taken down on the edge of the box by James Priday who
received his marching orders for two yellows, Weaver picked himself up and fired home the
resulting free kick in off the post. The icing was put on the cake when Barry got a deserved
goal for a tireless performance, Weaver held the ball up and released Barry who finished into
the bottom corner to take Gifford through to the final where they will meet the winners of
next weeks second semi between Gala Wilton and Hanham Athletic.