Avonmouth Youth 3 vs 4 Southside

<p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On a glorious Sunday morning Avonmouth could forget about the league and focus on a GFA Cup match against Southside a team from Gloucester. They came with a good reputation & showed why going 2-0 up after only 7 minutes. The first on 4 minutes came when Britton, a threat all match, collected the ball on the left hand side & drilled a well-aimed shot pass Davis into the corner of the net. Within 3 minutes he had made it 2 when the ball was allowed to reach him & from close in unchallenged headed it into the net. Avonmouth were stunned but after only 10 minutes were level. Almost from the restart a ball over the Southside defence by Jack Hewlett reached Mitch Harris who ran on to coolly put the ball past the keeper. Two minutes later a good ball into the area by Josh Beecham was left by Harris and fell to Montel Riches whose shot went in under the diving keeper. After such a frantic start, play settled down with both teams eager to attack. On 22 minutes from an Avonmouth corner and scramble in the area, a Southside defender cleared off the line. Then the Southside no. 9 was in on goal but keeper Davis did enough to put him off & his shot went wide. However, on 26 minutes Southside regained the lead. A corner was floated in & Wylie unmarked timed his run perfectly to volley the ball into the net. The first half had been a good contest with both sides looking dangerous every time they attacked.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Half time: Avonmouth 2 Southside 3&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">After the break Southside were again looking for a quick goal & from an early break their no. 15 was only stopped after good defensive play by Hewlett & Lewis. On 42 minutes Avonmouth almost equalised when after a great turn Harris hit the bar with a thunderous shot &ndash; there were claims that the ball had gone over the line but play continued. However, on 47 minutes the away side got their fourth goal. A cross came in from the left & at the back post Ainsley unmarked slid in to squeeze the ball into the net. Avonmouth needed goals & on 55 minutes changed formation playing with only 3 at the back. Southside seemed to be coping with everything Avonmouth could throw at them & looked to be home & dry but on 65 minutes Harris scored to make it 3-4. A ball from Sam Reynolds found Harris on the edge of the area from which he managed to hold of the tackles & rifle his shot into the net. This signalled a siege onto the Southside goal as Avonmouth sought the equaliser. However the crosses into the box never fell kindly to a home player & with solid defending Southside hung on to gain a hard fought & deserved win. &nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In an entertaining match that could have gone either way Southside did enough to eventually and deservedly win through to the next round of the GFA Cup. They were strong & physical but could also play good football & their attacking players were a constant threat &ndash; good luck to them for the rest of the competition. Avonmouth tasted defeat for the first time this season & it could be said that some heads & attitudes dropped, however most battled all the way & almost snatched the equaliser. With only 12 players available today a bigger squad may have made a difference & is something the Management team are aware of as we enter the coming months & the challenge of gaining promotion to Division 1. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal">Full Time: Avonmouth 3 Southside 4&nbsp;