Three goals in the last fifteen minutes meant Avro got back to winning ways against a physical Burscough side in an impressive 3-1 victory at The Community Ground.
Manager Alex Frost made four changes from the eleven which had started in last week’s defeat to Congleton Town with Kyle Harrop, Geffry Ebhote and Max Davidson all returning to the side, and Jamie Hill making his first league start. With Jack Morrow injured and Kyle Jacobs unavailable because of work commitments, Jack Worrall moved from his customary right back berth into central midfield.
It was clear from the first whistle that both sides were eager to get stuck into each other, and it was not long before Hill sent Liam Ellis in behind enemy lines, but the forward was unable to bring the ball under control and the opportunity was lost. Almost immediately afterwards, Worrall struck a swerving shot but Burscough keeper James Dineley made a comfortable save.
There were some rough tackles and physical midfield battles before the visitors next managed to create a goalscoring opportunity shortly before the break, with Michael Afuye’s low drive well held by Dineley. Cottrell then came close to giving Avro the lead in the 41st minute when he found himself on the end of a low cross by Afuye, but his shot was deflected agonisingly over the crossbar.
The hosts started the second half a lot better, and they might well have taken the lead in the 53rd minute had it not been for a superb tackle by Tommy Lent to halt a dangerous counter attack. Just before the hour mark, the home side did indeed go in front when they were awarded a penalty after Awe was brought down by Avro keeper Grant Shenton. Eddie Servuts gratefully accepted the invitation to break the deadlock, leaving the visitors staring down the barrel of a second successive defeat.
However, with just a quarter of an hour to go, the sides were level again. A corner kick floated out to the edge of the area and Kane Wallwork was on hand to curl a stunning effort into the top left corner. Just two minutes later another low cross by Afuye led to a goalmouth scramble, and substitute Lee Knight pounced on the loose ball to score his first goal for the club and give his side the lead.
Two minutes from time came the icing on the cake, as Ellis picked up a through ball from Knight and finished calmly past Dineley to seal the three points. A tough night overall, and a very welcome victory at the end of it.
