A late strike from Oliver Putnam earnt Avro a point on the road in their final away fixture of the season. It was a game of two halves with Trafford having the better of chances in the first half and Avro being a rejuvenated side for the second half. Overall, both sides will believe that a point a piece is a fair result.
It was once again a patched-up Avro side with The Ro struggling with injuries late on in the season. Kane Hickman stepped into defence, taking the place of Chiekh Thiam at right back. With the absence of Kyle Hawley, it was Liam Ellis leading the line up front.
Avro started well and their first real chance of the game came in the 15th minute through Liam Ellis. AJ Warburton delivered a ball into the box, but it was just too high for the Avro Number 9, and it was out for a goal kick.
Malakai McKenzie was next to test Sam Booth in the Trafford goal. After receiving the ball, he turned well and saw his strike on target, but Sam Booth was equal to it and the save resulted in an Avro corner. Soon after, Malakai McKenzie was just inches away from putting Avro ahead as he just missed getting onto the ball through from AJ Warburton.
Despite early chances from Avro, it was Trafford who took a hold on the game in the final stages of the first half and this saw them take the lead in the 30th minute. Ryley Smith was played through on goal, and it was a cool finish to slot the ball past Grant Shenton to put Trafford ahead into the break.
On the hour mark, it was a triple substitution for Avro with Sam Davidson and Brandon Barker replaced by Harry Salt and Oliver Putnam. Geffry Ebhote was also forced off through injury, he was replaced by James Dwyer in the heart of defence.
There were huge appeals for a penalty when Harry Salt saw his effort on goal appear to strike the arm of a Trafford defender, but these appeals were swiftly waved away by the match official.
On his return to the Avro squad, it was Oliver Putnam who brought Avro level in the 84th minute. After receiving the ball on the edge of the box, he saw his strike nestle into the bottom corner of the goal bringing Avro back level. Based on the run of play in the second half, this was a deserved equaliser.
This is how it remained at Shawe View with both sides claiming a point a piece. This point sees Avro remain 7th in the league with just one fixture left.Avro host their final league game of the season this Saturday, 26th April, when Chasetown are the visitors to The Vestacare. Tickets are available for this fixture on our website with payment on the gate available via cash or card. We would love as many as possible inside The Vestacare to round off what has been a positive season.
