Avro FC put on an impressive display away from home to make it four wins in a row last night (Tuesday), writes Louie Kennedy.
Avro had ten points from their first seven games and were sitting in seventh place going into this game, just outside of the playoff spot. If they triumph, they will move up to fourth place. Stafford, the home side, was out for retribution following their 1-0 home loss to Vauxhall Motors last Saturday.
The RO’ started the match trying to set the tone with Kane Hickman making an early, strong tackle.
Unfortunately, a leg injury meant that Kane Wallwork had to be withdrawn after just eighteen minutes.
Disaster struck again soon after, as Stafford’s’ number nine, Dan Cockerline, scored from a corner in the twenty-first minute.
Avro searches for an equaliser, and the man who scored the winning goal the last time we were away found it.
Benito Lowe, brought the ball down with his chest from outside the area and skillfully volleyed it into the bottom right corner only five minutes later.
Max Harrop, recently back from injury then put Avro ahead 2-1 in the 34th minute with what may be the goal of the season with a spectacular effort.
Then, in the dying stages of the first-half, Harrop struck again to put Avro ahead 3-1 right before halftime.
At the 63rd minute mark, Lowe attempted to find Ellis with a chipped ball, but it was struck with a bit too much force.
Soon after, Avro again came at the host’s goal with some lovely play.
Kyle Hawley flicked it to Liam Ellis, who played it to Sam Davidson who hit it hard but the home team’s defenders put their bodies on the line to stop the shot.
In the dying stages of the game, Mike Phenix took a shot in the 88th minute.
The ball appeared to be flying in the top corner, but the Stafford Rangers keeper made an incredible save to keep the score at 3-1.
Chiekh Thiam won the man-of-the-match honours for his outstanding play along the flanks and at the back, which was instrumental to the side’s victory.
After the win we spoke to joint manager David Birch for his thoughts on the game, he said:
“We were 3-1 up at half-time and it was well deserved.”
“In the second half they threw the kitchen sink at us.”
Avro’s next fixture will be in the IsuzuFa Trophy this Saturday, September 21, kick-off time is 3pm.
