The Avenue Reserves began their West Yorkshire League Division 1 campaign on Saturday with an away game against Bramhope.
Their pre season preparation had been carefully planned by Coach, Owen Murphy and all of their games were against sides who occupy higher divisions than themselves, giving his squad a taste of what they could expect in the months ahead. During these games his players have shown they certainly have the potential to challenge any side they come up against.
As with many football pitches up and down the country the pitch at Bramhope resembled a desert, but at least it was flat and Avenue got off to a positive start, creating several decent in the first quarter. However, despite being well on top they fell a goal behind when Bramhope gained a corner and profited from it. Momentum swung in the favour of the home side and Luke Morris was called upon to make a splendid save to keep the score at 1-0. It was an even game, but out of nowhere, Avenue drew level when Abdul Diallo put a ball over the top of the home defence before Michael Douglas set up Oskar Wota to fire home.
An end-to-end few minutes followed as Oskar Wota then scuffed a shot that should have given Avenue the lead. This error was immediately punished when Bramhope were awarded a penalty, which was scored, Avenue were 2-1 down and Abdul Diallo earned the first booking of the season.
Straight from the restart, it was Avenue on the attack and Avenue had an element of bad luck as a shot from M.Douglas hit the inside of the post and out for a goal kick. The whistle went and an action packed half ended with the home side, 2-1 up.
Avenue hit the ground running at the start of the second period and it wasn’t long before they equalised. A lovely cushioned ball over the defence was collected by Jodi Tiffany who rifled home to make it 2-2.
Oskar Wota continued to cause problems and forced a super save from the home goalkeeper before the woodwork came to their rescue yet again, this time another effort from M. Douglas cannoning off the inside of the upright.
Avenue were dominant but as happened in the first half they were caught out by a quick break and Bramhope regained the lead. Avenue were denied a third goal, with a magnificent double-save from the Bramhope stopper.
Lucas Shaw then came off the bench and his first contribution was to assist M. Douglas’ equaliser which was deserved, having been denied by the woodwork, twice, previously.
With ten minutes remaining Avenue pushed for a winner and almost snatched a dramatic victory, but the effort from Mason Brewis was cleared off the Bramhope line for a corner.
A big well done to the side, who now travel to play Wortley away on Wednesday evening.