The Avenue Reserves side headed up to Boroughbridge for their latest Division One fixture with a heavily depleted squad.
The likes of Michael Douglas, Jodi Tiffany and Junior Thokoza were missing, but at least the returning Connor Douglas was a boost at the back. Owen Murphy played with three on the back of his shirt and employed Jayden Bedeau as a makeshift number 10, therefore adopting a 4-3-1-2 system.
Josh Owen had the earliest chance of the game for Avenue, firing straight at the Boroughbridge goalkeeper.
However, it soon went pear-shaped for the visitors as they fell behind to two quick goals. They have made a habit of conceding one, sometimes two early goals and then staging a stirring comeback. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn’t as has happened in a few of their recent fixtures.
A smart move from the home side resulted in an equally fine finish for 1-0. The goal sparked Avenue into life, but after a spell of pressure, they then conceded a sloppy second goal that doubled the deficit.
Sadly, it seemed a case of the same old story as they faced yet another mountain to climb. The home side appeared to be looking comfortable, but the game suddenly changed after Avenue began to have more possession which led to chances.
O.Murphy hit a tremendous shot at goal which drew a superb fingertip save from the Boroughbridge ’keeper. Bedeau was denied by another save that brought another corner and both Max Walker and Jayden Cuffe went close from half chances.
Keeping the pressure on, Owen won a free kick in a dangerous position that O.Murphy took, the ball just clearing the crossbar.
Avenue’s persistence eventually paid off when, after great work from Haris Khan, Cuffe finished well to get Avenue back in the hunt.
There was hardly time for the home defence to draw breath when Avenue scored again, Bedeau getting on the end of an O.Murphy pass and finishing well.
It was one-way traffic as chances came and went with alarming regularity, but none taken and the home side were grateful to get to the break at 2-2.
In the early stages of the second half, Bedeau was booked for diving and although Avenue had long spells of possession the momentum they had before the break had largely dissipated. They appeared safe at the back, but upfront they struggled for the killer pass.
Eventually Avenue forced a corner, and from the set-piece, a scramble inside the six yard box saw Cuffe scuff his effort in front of goal but still with enough power for the ball to cross the goal line and give Avenue the lead.
Almost immediately, the earlier momentum returned as Avenue swarmed all over the home defence. McKenzie Murphy and Rico Feltham replaced Owen and Khan respectively but it didn’t hamper their efforts to wrap the game up.
Both Jayden’s, Bedeau and Cuffe made way for Lucas Shaw and Jack Revans and still Avenue laid siege to the Boroughbridge goal.
With five minutes remaining, they finally got their reward when Walker was on hand to collect and finish an inch perfect Douglas cross.
The remaining time elapsed, the whistle blew to end the game with all agreeing, including the home support that O.Murphy deserved the man of the match award.
This group of players have exhibited on numerous occasions the ability to recover from seemingly hopeless positions, but it would be nice if they didn’t do it on a regular basis.
However, let’s not take anything away from them as they get another three points on the board with lots of home fixtures still to come.
Match report by David Brewis.