Avon Plate F.C.

"play up Plate"

Match reports for Season 2000/2001

Match

17/09/00 (League Cup :Round 1)
Avon Plate 1: 3 The Star

Half Time 0: 1
Scorer: Tony Bowles 64mins

Cup and Plate Go Seperate Ways
by Comrade Hemmingway, Official Football or Death Reporter

After 80 minutes of pulsating football we were beginning to think the unthinkable. Avon Plate of Division 4 were matching top Division 1 outfit The Star 1:1 and creating chances. Alas, this footballing fairytale was not to be, but what heart the team can take from the game.

Reverting back to the familiar 3-5-2 formation, the Plate began the game looking more solid than they had all season. Although going a goal down after 20 mins, a cross shot beating Bill at the near post, the defense, marshalled mightily by Mikey Marsh (someone have a word with Hemmingway-Ed) held The Stars much vaunted frontline with what at times approached ease. In the middle of the park the impressive trio of Butt, Fowgues and Proctor were more than holding their own, however upfront David and Sant were getting little change from a tight Star backline which kept the majority of play inside the Plate half.

On the half hour quick inter-play on the edge of the box did see The Star open up the Plate defence but a scything challenge from Fowgues, a good two minutes late and just outside the box, snuffed out the danger just as the striker was bearing down on goal. Dirty, cynical and by far the best challenge of the season so far. Top class.

Half Time 0:1

Bolstered by their first half showing Avon Plate picked up the tempo in the second half grabbing the initiative off the opposition who had been cruising all game. Suddenly they were winning the ball and keeping it with much greater frequency using Bowles and White to break down the flanks.

Around the hour mark Matt Proctor weaved some of his own personal magic, drifting past five defenders to the edge of the box were he was finally cornered, surrounded, (by what seemed the entire Star squad) and brought down.

Free kick Plate. Step up Mr Bowles.

From a couple of yards outside the box, to the right of the area Tony unleashed an unstoppable right footed drive direct into the top left hand corner. The Bush erupted and the Plate were back level.

The Star couldn't believe it and restarted with new vigour but the Plate were not about to let the game slip. Tackles started to fly in and chances were created at both ends, the Star keeper saving athletically from a Jerry White volley and Bill keeping a tiring Plate in it at the other end. With extra time approaching disaster struck. The Star left winger was played in behind the Plate defence into the inside left channel and made no mistake with the finish. Try as they might to lift themselves the Plate knew their chance had gone. Minutes later a third was added. The game was lost but pride was not.

Avon Plate 1:3 The Star

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