Avon United Soccer Club

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Match Reports

September 10, Playoff Game 2 v Burnside at Riccarton Domain, Result 0-0 draw - Avon win 3-2 on pens.

We did it the hard way. After 210 minutes of football over 2 legs it came down to penalties.
First up was the Burnside keeper who put one past Matt, Blair's shot was then saved 0-1.
Burnside blasted wide, Matt then faced up and scored against the Burnside keeper 1-1.
Boomer scored for Burnside and Jun scored for us 2-2.
Matt then saved the next one and Simon bravely stepped up and scored 3-2.
Do or die and the crowd cruelly chanted Brighton (Burnside lost the playoff to Brighton on penalties last season).
The final Burnside penalty was saved by Matt, game, set and match Avon.
Like last game Burnside started off stronger and had the best of the first half. However Avon finished stronger and only some superb work by the Burnside keeper denied Jun the deciding goal in normal time. A cruel way for our close neighbours to lose. A relief for all at the club, not so much scared at the prospect of being in the Canterbury League next year, but more the fact that it would have meant the break up of a close and good squad.
The potential is definitely there and the squad built by Macky will be a good basis for Aaron next year. The guys have the experience and will be so much better for it next season.
Penalty scorers were Matt Thomas, Jun Madono and Simon Bosma.

September 3, Playoff Game 1 v Burnside at Burnside Park, Result 0-0 draw

Avon went into the playoff with a 4-5-1 formation and appeared to be looking to keep things tidy at the back and hopefully pick up something on the counter-attack. Early on Burnside attacked in earnest, but some tidy defending by Aaron and Jeremy blunted most moves. Avon struggled to put 3 passes together most of the first half. A single opportunist shot from Jason Paul which hit the crossbar was the closest anyone got to scoring. Dave Briggs never had anything to run onto as the passes were wide or too long, the strong North-Easterly didn't help.
The second half was more even with Avon finishing stronger. Burnside had a chance to score late on with successive corners but their gamble of bringing on a tall masters player didn't pay off as their corners were wide of the mark.
In summary both sides set out their stall with the midfields both lacking imagination or precision and the teams content not to make mistakes. It's hard to remember if Burnside even had an attacking player on the park. Jun was left isolated on the left and had little supply of ball apart from one or two nice passes from Matt.
Kristian was the standout Avon player and looked to have time and composure. Hopefully Jeremy King and TK will be back to bolster the midfield next game. However Burnside's Mike Boomer is also likely to be back from injury and his ability is certain to create more chances for Burnside. Avon will need improve and be capable of scoring more than once if they are to win.

August 20, Game 18 v Christchurch Technical at Riccarton Domain, Result 2-1 to Technical

August 13, Game 17 v Christchurch United at QE2, Result 4-0 to Chch Utd

Aaron Taylor's second game, welcome to reality.
On a day great for football, we were about to take on Christchurch United at QE11. The team had had a good result last week as they played well, so we were optimistic about getting our first points.
I was still experimenting with players and positions as we need to build our strongest team for the playoffs. Some players and supporters may not agree with this, but my goal is to keep Avon up in the MPL where they belong.
The first half started well, we had two clear cut chances to score but failed to put the ball in the back of the net. At the 35th minute Matt Francis brought down their striker inside the box resulting in a penalty. It was a senseless tackle that did not need to be made, which I am sure Matty will learn from. They converted their chance 1-0, which was the score at half time. The second half was a different story. At this stage of the season I would expect any team in this league to be fit, but sadly fitness wise Avon are not up to it. This was not highlighted last week as Nelson were reduced to 9 players and made it easy, fitness wise for us.
United had bveen dominating in the middle of the park and this seemed to spread more and more around the park as the game went on. United scored 3 more goals in the second half, two were quality goals that Matt Thomas could do nothing about, but watch them go in. Full time score 4-0.
The back four played well except for the Matty Francis tackle in the first half. Simon Bosma was a standout player on the left handside, and it was another positive display by the keeper Matt Thomas.
One more league game to go, then playoffs. Please come down and support the team as we aim to stay up at the highest level, so our younger players have an aspiration to play and stay at the club.
Aaron Taylor

August 7, Game 16 v Nelson Suburbs at Riccarton Domain, Result 2-1 to Nelson

Aaron Taylor's first game in charge and what a game it was.
The game started off very fast with Nelson looking confident that they were going to win with ease. A couple of fine stops from Matt Thomas showed it wasn't going to be the roll over they expected. As the half went on Avon got further into the match. However just as we were looking at our watches for half time they got a headed goal from a corner. With little time left in the half Jun got onto a half volley which produced an equally good save from the Nelson keeper. 1-0 at half time.
Second half, and while most of us were down on the junior field doing the junior penalty shoot-out Jun produced a fine move and finished with a great shot to draw the team equal. Nelson attacked again and looked to be in with their forward one on one with our keeper but a fantastic covering tackle from Matt, combined with an equally good save from the other Matt kept us in it. With about 20 to go Nelson capitalised on a defensive error to get their second goal.
The boys looked down, but again they picked themselves up and attacked. This resulted in a Nelson player being red carded for his second booking after a late tackle on Jun. Shortly after they were reduced to 9 players when their centre forward took Jeremy and a bit of the ball and got an early shower too. Jeremy had to be carried off. At this stage we should have gone for the kill and brought on Grant who would have had the pace to cause panic at the back, but we took the cautious route and brought on a Simon. With no pace up front we finished rather mildly.
Like Tuesday another good performance but not enough to get points. Looking forward to this weekend when Kris will be back, Glenn and hopefully Adam fit. Then if we can produce the same intensity for the third time in a row we will get the points.

August 2, Game 15 v Halswell at English Park, Result 1-0 to Halswell

The team competed well for the entire 90 minutes and can consider itself unlucky not to get a point.
The first half saw Halswell make some good space but Avon counter-attacked with pace and was unlucky not to get a goal when the Halswell keeper lost the ball under pressure from Dave Briggs, Grant was on hand to put a way an easy shot but the ref decided the keeper had been fouled. While Halswell had more chances our defence held firm and it was 0-0 at half time.
The Second half was again pretty even, but on the 63rd minute Halswell got a corner and the ball came over awkwardly and ended up in our net. At this stage we could have put our heads down, but we didn't and kept competing. We had another good opportunity when the Halswell keeper dropped the ball under pressure from Ryan Astle, but we couldn't find the net. Shortly after TK had a chance and couldn't find the shot. Finally Jun put a good low shot wide from a corner.
By the end Halswell were happy to slow the game and keep the ball away from us.
The team can take a lot of credit for their performance against the current Chatham cup semi finalists. The defence was sound with Jeremy playing really well. Three players, Grant, Ko and Glenn made their Mainland debuts. And to top it off Matt Blatherwick made his debut as stand in first team keeper after the search parties couldn't find Matt Thomas. Hard pressed to give out a player of the day as everyone played well.

July 30, Game 14 v Western at Walter Park, Result 6-0 to Western

A horror start to an impressive first team career for Matt Francis after losing his way to the game and then having his car break down. However a dream start for Matt on the park.
Another game where we played well in patches but couldn't keep it together for the full 90 minutes. Macky's last game with us before leaving for Turkey with the NZ University womens side (some people have all the good jobs), pity we couldn't send him off with a win.

July 16, Game 13 v Ferrymead at Barnett Park, Result 4-1 to Ferrymead

We scored first through TK, unfortunately we were in front less than a minute. Jun made a good start to his first team career with some quality play. Matt the keeper also had a gutsy effort after being in a car accident on Friday. Three or four others also had good games. Unfortunately at this level if ten or more don't play well you don't win.

July 9, Game 12 v Nomads at Riccarton Domain, Result 2-0 to Nomads

Another close one but that's not enough at this level. Still can't score goals. Player of the day was keeper Matt Thomas with a fine performance especially on the high balls.

July 2, Game 11 v Rangers at Eric Adam Park, Result 2-1 to Rangers

One all until the last minute - pity the referee didn't blow the whistle sooner.

June 25, Game 10 v Brighton at Riccarton, Result 2-1 to Brighton

Up early on but we had lost the lead by half time and that's how it stayed. Good to see Adam come back into some form. All the other bottom teams won, the squad now has a real test of character for the remaining 8 games.

June 18, Game 9 v Technical at Ensors Road, Result 5-0 to Tech

Nil all at half time but you don't get points for that. Conceded a soft goal early in the second half and it was all over. First round completed with no points. The boys have yet to show their true potential - could benefit from Grant and Cameron from the Canterbury League team up front.

June 4, Game 8 v Christchurch United at Riccarton Domain, Result 6-3 to United

Three early goals by United effectively sealed the game. We drew the second half 2-2. Sinclair McMath continued the tradition of recently transferred players scoring against us by getting two goals. Jeremy Keneally played well and scored a great free kick and another goal.

May 31, English Cup v CBHS at English Park, Result 2-1 to CBHS

A very tentative game from a team not used to being the favourites. Far too much ball was kicked aimlessly away in the midfield and we had no forwards.
The result of 2-1 reflected the way the game went.

May 29, Game 7 v Nelson at Saxton Field, Result 4-0 to Nelson

Nil all at half time was just too good. Again it shows we can compete with the best for periods. Second half not so good and late goals left us with a 4-0 loss.

May 13, Game 6 v Western at English Park, Result 5-0 to Western

The lads looked a bit down in the first half and it showed in our negative play and we went in 3-0 down at half time. The second half was a much better effort and when Kristian went on at the 60 minute mark he made a huge impact and looked in a class of his own. A late penalty by Simon could have closed the score but the Aryan giant in the Western goal made it look very small. Western then closed it out.

May 7, Chatham Cup v Western at Riccarton Domain, Result 3-1 to Western

We scored first and they scored 3. Our Chatham Cup run ended before it started. Dave Shannon got concussed.

April 30, Game 5 v Halswell at Halswell Domain, Result 4-1 to Halswell

April 23, Game 4 v Ferrymead at Riccarton Domain, Result 5-0 to Ferrymead

Much the same as usual. We started well and could/should have got the first goal. However we didn't and Ferrymead got on a roll and put 5 past us. Again we played well enough in patches to get a result. The team is developing into a good unit and the results will come soon.

April 16, Game 3 v Nomads at Tullet Park, Result 6-1 to Nomads

Reports are a bit sketchy but the Press headline was Nomads hit Avon for 6. It was all over by half time as the four goal deficit was too much to pull back.
Innocent continued his run of good form to put the first goal of the season past the Nomads keeper. On the downside three of the Nomads goals were by ex Shamrock/Avon players, a trend that has been repeated in the past 2 games as well.
Luckily this week the Ferrymead side dont have any ex Avon players

April 9, Game 2 v Rangers at Riccarton, Result 3-1 to Rangers

Things started well with a great warm up in our new warmup jackets. The first half was evenly shared and finished 0-0.
Second half we were in the lead for almost a minute after Innocent got the first goal on the 50th minute. Unfortunately Rangers replied with 3 goals. Another performance that shows we have potential and just need to finish things off. Player of the day was Ryan Manton.

April 2, Game 1 v Brighton at Bexley, Result 3-1 to Brighton

Pecky got the first goal but it was declared offside as Innocent was in a offside position though not interfering with play. After this our Nemesis of before half time, corners and ex player combined to get 3 goals. George scored a consolation goal from a free kick when he chipped the keeper.

March 20, Friendly v Nelson at Avonhead Park, Result 5-0 to Nelson

A bad start with 2 goals in the first three minutes, including a classy headed OG by Jeremy set us back. However the team responded positively in a situation where it would have been easy to roll over. For the next hour the honours were shared and the teams battled away at each end. However mid way through the second half a period of lost concentration saw 3 more goals conceded.
In summary there were lots of positives to come from the game, we now know we can match it with Nelson. However at this level it is clear that lapses will be punished and the guys learnt that today. Best performances came from Blair, Kristian and Aaron.

Copyright Avon United 2005.