Page 16 - Avonmouth FC v Little Stoke 071023

Ruardean Hill Rangers v Avonmouth FC
Saturday 23 September
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Avonmouth’s first County League match in the Forest of Dean was a visit to the Ruardean
Recreation Ground and a game against Ruardean Hill Rangers on a bright sunny afternoon.
Avonmouth pressed hard early on and after seven minutes Josh Pearce forced a good save
from the Ruardean keeper Aaron Underwood after the ball broke to him 10 yards out. A
minute later Matt Groves almost put Avonmouth in front but opted for power and the ball
thundered against the crossbar. After nine minutes following a foul in the box by Ruardean’s
skipper Dave Matthews on the dangerous Groves, Alfie Taylor cooly slotted home the
resultant penalty, sending Underwood the wrong way, giving Avonmouth a deserved lead.
Just a minute later Ruardean’s skipper Charlie Mason was cautioned for a foul challenge on
Kyle O’Donovan, with the referee stopping the game when Avonmouth were clearly
breaking towards the Ruardean penalty area and advantage would have been a better
refereeing decision. Avonmouth continued to dominate with Charlie Aldom forcing a good
save from Underwood at his near post. It wasn’t until the 39 minute that Avonmouth
th
eventually added to their tally after a great through pass by Groves to O’Donovan who
skilfully slotted the ball past Underwood.

Early in the second half Avonmouth were controlling the game with Aldom again hitting the
crossbar from a corner. In a rare sortie for Ruardean, Steve Clark expertly turned his
defender but Tom Bradley made a great save from close range, spreading his large frame
and anticipating the shots direction. On 56 minutes it was three-nil as a great Taylor through
ball found Pearce who calmly slotted home. After 65 minutes Avonmouth subs combined
well when Kofi Martin cleverly squared the ball to Dillan Kerr who was well tackled just
outside the six-yard box by a Ruardean defender. With 15 minutes to go Ruardean’s Tommy
Coleman sent a curling shot just wide. After 80 minutes, Avonmouth sub Jordan Whittaker’s
30-yard free kick rattled the post and then two minutes later Bradley was called into action
again, this time saving well from a Bobby Walding header. Just before the end Pearce should
have made it four but screwed his shot wide.

The game proved a sound away performance for Avonmouth, who sit at the top of the
County League after five games following their comprehensive away victory but will need
to be more clinical in front of goal in future matches. A big plus in the game was
Avonmouth’s strength in depth with their substitutes coming on and all performing well.

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