Page 19 - Avonmouth FC v Cheltenham CS 160324

dangerous from set pieces, but Gala defended stoutly and were just the one goal
adrift at the break.

Josh Pearce started the second half just as Avonmouth would have wanted with a
neat finish on 53 minutes to make the score 0-2, but Gala soon replied on 61
through a Mike Baron volley into the far corner following a corner. After this Gala
came more and more into the game playing good football in the middle of the pitch,
albeit without creating anything clear cut in the box and with Avonmouth keeper
Tom Bradley confidently clutching every cross in the air meant Gala’s scoring
opportunities were limited. However, Avonmouth started to sit deeper and
appeared to be content to try to see the game out at 2-1, but following an
interception when the Gala defence were playing the ball out from the back, we
witnessed an excellent finish from Pearce to make it 1-3. Just five minutes later on
89, a superb one-two with Dillan Kerr on the edge of the box saw Pearce complete
his hat-trick for a 4-1 win and a more realistic scoreline plus another three points
for Avonmouth. The result puts Avonmouth 13 points clear at the top of the
Gloucestershire County League and with two games in hand over second placed
Stoke Gifford United.

Broadwell Amateurs v Avonmouth FC
We travelled to Broadwell which is always tricky place to go the first 15 min was
even with Avonmouth going close following good work down the right by Matty
Groves and a pull back to Josh Pearce who stretching for the volley saw his effort
just go over the bar. On 15 min a quick contested throw from Broadwell, enabled
them to break down the right and a good pull back from the bye-line from Kristian
Burnard allowing a good finish by Kian Skidmore. Avonmouth then launched
relentless attacks but did not trouble the goal following resolute defending by
Broadwell and on 24 min a rare mistake by Avonmouth defence saw a misplaced
pass go to Harry Nash who found Jarred Liddington who cooly finished past the
advancing Tom Bradley to give Broadwell a two-goal lead. This resulted Ash and
his coaching team to make a quick and positive decision to change the formation
to 3/5/2 with the introduction of two substitute’s, this had an immediate impact and
saw Avonmouth gain a penalty on 34 min when sub-Koffi Martin burst forward and
was brought down in the box, Alfi Taylor stepped up to make it 2-1 at half time The
second half saw Avonmouth intensify the pressure going close on numerous
occasions and the pressure finally saw another penalty awarded on 74 min after
some good work by Josh Pearce resulting him being fouled in the box, giving
another penalty this time being dispatched by Charlie Aldom. Avonmouth pushed
for the winner and had several corners and a few goalmouth scramble’s seeing
Broadwell defend resolutely, one attempt seeing Kyle O’Donovan going close
following a cross to the far post from the right had side, and several long range
shots flash past the post. Broadwell were always dangerous on the counter attack
and after 5 min of injury time the game finished 2-2