Page 18 - Avonmouth FC v Cheltenham CS 160324

Avonmouth FC v Frampton United
This is the County League game that both today’s teams and the 130 crowd had
been looking forward to, namely first against second in the league with Frampton
United winning their initial contest earlier in the season. Within 20 seconds of the
start Avonmouth’s Josh Pearce was played through on goal with just keeper Tom
Kaye to beat but his shot went past the far post. Just 2 minutes later Pearce was
again through on goal but his shot was well saved by Frampton keeper Kaye.
After 10 minutes Frampton came more into the game and following a rare error by
Avonmouth’s central defender Mark Williams this let in Henry Dickerson but he hit
his shot wide of the far post. There was then a lull in the game for 15 minutes with
both defences on top until Avonmouth took control with Kyle O’Donovan shooting
from distance and forcing a save by Kaye with Pearce hitting the rebound across
the goal line. Not long after a great last gasp tackle prevented Pearce from shooting
in from just 5 yards out.
After 30 minutes a brilliant first touch from Frampton’s Max Emerson opened up
space in the box but Avonmouth threw bodies in the way to prevent two shots
getting through to keeper Tom Bradley. With Avonmouth on top Pearce sped
through the Frampton defence and shot past keeper Kaye to put the home side 1
up.

Straight after the start of the second half Avonmouth’s Pearce was again through
on goal but his shot was well saved by keeper Kaye’s legs. Frampton were however
now taking control and moving the ball well in midfield and following a great run
by Emerson, Avonmouth’s Bradley made a super save. The game became scrappy
in the final 20 minutes with Avonmouth defending well and Frampton not troubling
keeper Bradley’s goal. However, in the final 5 minutes Avonmouth looked the more
likely side to score as Matt Groves played in Alfie Taylor who found Pearce but his
header was pushed away by keeper Kaye. This was the final action of the 90 frantic
minutes of a tough fought game between two well matched sides.

Gala Wilton v Avonmouth 24 February 2024.
If Avonmouth thought their journey up the M5 to Fairmile to play near to bottom
side Gala Wilton was going to be an easy Saturday afternoon they were in for a
shock. Despite the continuous rain during the week the pitch was in superb
condition and Avonmouth came storming out attacking right from the start and
should have been four goals up within the first 15 minutes. The one dangerous
player for Gala down the right was Jay Dare who had a great chance but hit his
shot wide of the Avonmouth right hand post. Avonmouth’s poor finishing continued
and they had to be content with just the one goal from a great finish by Matt
Groves after 13 minutes. The Avonmouth technical area team were still disbelieving
their sides lack of finishing ability but they continued to create the majority of
chances as they attacked with pace and numbers and looked particularly