Page 17 - Avonmouth FC v Almondsbury 091223

Stoke Gifford United v Avonmouth FC
The clash between the two top teams in the County league was played on the 4G pitch at
the SGS College Filton on a cold afternoon with a low sun and a swirling mist that made
following the game difficult at time for the many spectators.
Stoke Gifford got the game underway but it was Avonmouth who were quickly into their
stride pushing Gifford back and after just 8 minutes Matty Groves knocks a corner in and it
fell nicely for an unmarked Kyle O'Donovan who volleyed home. Three minutes later Skipper
Alfie Taylor played an ambitious ball over the top towards Josh Pearce and the Gifford keeper
misjudged the bounce, allowing Pearce to knock it around him and tap into the net, making
it 2 nil to Avonmouth. Just a few minutes later with Avonmouth on top, Pearce again has the
ball in the net but the club assistant has raised his flag for offside, no goal.
After 30 minutes Gifford were growing into the game with a series of corners that were dealt
with by the Avonmouth defence but the majority of possession was now going their way.
However, at the next Avonmouth attack there was a yellow card for a Stoke Gifford defender,
who as the last man took out Pearce just outside the box, leaving the referee with a colour
decision to make. Just prior to half time a counter attack by Gifford had them two on two
but Mark Williams did brilliantly to get back and make a saving tackle. Right on half time,
Pearce took the ball around the keeper for a second time, who then sticks a hand out and
pulled him down but with nothing given by referee Thorne.
After 6 minutes of the second half following a slip by a Gifford defender, Jack Williams
chested the ball down to O’Donovan who found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper but his shot
narrowly missed the left hand upright. After 17 minutes of the second half Gifford got a goal
back following an attack down the right wing a well-placed header by the skilful Ikeije
reduced the deficit. Halfway through the second half an injury to Kofi Martin, who had been
superb today had to come off and was replaced by Cody Winkler. With just 15 minutes to go
with the game becoming very even but Gifford were unable to finish any of their chances.
However, there was still time for disagreement when Pearce took the ball around the Gifford
keeper to yet again see the assistants flag up for offside. With 10 minutes of the game left
Avonmouth were hit by another injury, this time to Sam Ford who was replaced by sub
Tommy Cox, quickly followed by an injury to keeper Tom Bradley who was able to continue
after treatment. With just a minute to go Pearce broke away but the Gifford keeper tipped
his shot over the bar, which was the final action of an exciting game but with Avonmouth
the deserved victors.
QUIZ ANSWERS

1. 1914
2. Holland
3. 1959
4. 66
5. Jose Mourinho
6. Flu Bug
7. A Soldier
8. Roque Sants Crux
9. West Brom
10. 50