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For the first away game of the season, manager Martin picked the following team : Chris (GK), Craig (RB), Glenn (CB capt), Jason (CB), Matt (LB), Paul (LM), Keith (CM), Mark (CM), Rich (RM), Steve (CF), Neil (CF), Andy (sub), Gavin (sub).
Avonmouth Reserves (despite the fact that at least 5 of their players normally play for their first team!) started the game. This didn't phase Golden Hill, however, who quickly took the initiative and began to control the game--no doubt spurred on by last weeks emphatic victory.
Within the first few minutes, Golden Hill began what would be the first of many attacking plays on the Avonmouth. Rich broke down the right wing and made it to the byline, drawing their defenders toward him. Neil hung back 2 yards from the centre of the goal, but failed to make contact with Rich's slick pass toward him as defenders and the goalkeeper dived in desperation. A barrage of high balls, flicked on by Steve's commanding heading failed to net a result, the closest chance being Neil's left foot curling shot from outside the box which was deflected by the keeper for a corner. Golden Hill's defence, frustrated by the equal scoreline following half-an-hour of constant pressure, were obviously caught paying attention to the forwards rather than the game, however, as Avonmouth broke free down the left and easily crept in behind the defence, netting the ball and opening their goal-scoring account for the season. Golden hill, as last week, were suddenly 1-0 against the run of play. This scoreline was soon doubled as they broke down the right, crossed high over the keeper and beyond the back post where a stalking forward finished from close range just before the half-time whistle was blown.
In the second half Golden Hill kicked off in a determined mood. Again, despite creating several chances, the finishing failed to improve the score. Fifteen minutes into the second half, and muttering "if you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you've always got", manager Martin moved Rich up from midfield to swap with Neil. This masterstroke paid off handsomely--a cross from Glenn into the box found Neil free at the back post, who easily powered the loose ball from Steve's heading challenge into the back of the net. Golden now had the bit between their teeth! Further attacks saw Rich chest down a ball to Keith on the outside of the box, who then dragged it into the box before picking out Mark with a pinpoint cross. Mark smiled as he volleyed it home bring Golden level at 2-2. This momentum was continued as a long ball headed on by Steve found Rich free on goal, sliding it past the helpless keeper to give Golden Hill a sniff of Victory--3-2 up!
With ten minutes to go, and on the damp, heavy pitch, both sides tired and a handful of chances presented themselves at both end's of the pitch. Just before the final whistle, however, Avonmouth attacked down the centre, passed it left and shot. Despite a great initial save by Chris, the parried ball found an Avonmouth striker who hit the ball home to earn a 3-3 draw.
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