Avonmouth 2 v 3 Bradford Town

Saturday 11th January 2025, Kick-off 15.00

Western League Division One

King George V Playing Field, Avonmouth

Admission: £6.00

Programme: £2.00

Attendance: 145

Video highlights can be viewed by clicking here

A match report can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below

Avonmouth 2-3 Bradford Town

Western League Division 1, 15:00

King George V Recreation Ground, Avonmouth, Bristol BS11 9ND

14th (34pts from 27) vs 2nd (57pts from 24)

Distance between the clubs: 33 miles (~45 mins)

Reverse fixture: Bradford Town 4-0 Avonmouth (7/9/24)

The Teams

Bradford Town started the day second in the Western League Division 1, two points off leaders Hallen but having played two less games. They hadn't lost since September when mid table AEK Boco managed to get the better of them, and were coming into this off the back of a good 2-1 victory at home to third placed Calne Town. They were a step 5 side in the Western and Hellenic leagues between 2014 and 2023 and finished 8th last season in their first campaign back at this level

Avonmouth find themselves in fourteenth in their debut season at step 6 after successive promotions from the Bristol & Suburban League and the Gloucestershire County League. They had a fantastic opening to the season, winning 5 of the first 7 including emphatic victories over Longwell Green and Wells City who are both very much in the playoff conversation now. Things have been a little more up and down since then but on the whole it's been an impressive debut season. Their last game was boxing day when they drew 2-2 with local rivals 10th placed Shirehampton

The Game

Bradford dominated possession in the first half, playing the ball around well considering the muddy conditions. Avonmouth were ready to pounce on the counter attack, however, as was exemplified in the opening minutes with an effort blasted over the bar. It didn't take too long for Bradford to translate their possession into a goal however, with Curtis Dunn putting away a lovely strike about ten minutes in. The men from Wiltshire continued to control proceedings for the next twenty minutes or so, without creating masses of chances, but notably had an effort cleared off the line after half an hour. As the first half neared it's end however Avonmouth had a bright spell and were rewarded with a goal, a composed finish from Theo Thordarson after a save from the Bradford goalkeeper to level things up against the overall run of play. It wasn't to last long though with Bradford getting back ahead just before the break through Dan Demkiv

Things opened up in the second half with a more even balance of possession and Avonmouth gave a really good account of themselves, ultimately leading to them bringing things level with twenty minutes to go through Charlie Boorman. After this Bradford upped their game again though and Sammy Jordan secured victory with just a few minutes to go, prompting huge celebrations both on and off the pitch. On balance it was probably just about deserved, but it was a fantastic effort from Avonmouth against probably the best side in the league, which made for a fantastic game of football, especially in the second half

Both sides stay in the same positions in the table. Bradford travel to ninth placed Mendip Broadwalk in midweek before a tough clash against fifth placed Devizes Town next Saturday. Meanwhile Avonmouth travel to 17th placed Hengrove Athletic next week

The Ground

This is a relatively basic ground, which isn't surprising given Avonmouths speedy rise over the last few seasons, but by no means does this mean it isn't worth visiting: it has character, atmosphere and unique surroundings with the impressive M5 bridge towering over it

Entry is £6, which is standard for step 6, and is paid as you drive in. There is some parking available or public transport is plentiful with a bus stop right outside and Avonmouth railway station a fifteen minute walk away. There is an online programme which is a great read, and includes pictures and biographies of each player which I think is a really nice touch

There is hard standing on two sides of the pitch and a grassy area over the far long side with some goalposts that a group of children were making use of. The short side nearest to the motorway is inaccessible. The clubhouse and changing rooms are situated on the other long side. Notably there is no seated stand (although I believe one is to be built soon), just a covered area with a window at the front that makes it look a bit like a shed. It's probably quite good to watch the game from on a wet and windy day, but I didn't see anyone using it during the game today. Despite there being no seated stand there's a fair few benches on the clubhouse side which offer a good view of proceedings, and a bit of extra cover provided by the overhanging roof of the clubhouse

The atmosphere was great with 145 in attendance, including a sizeable away following from Wiltshire. Add this to the fantastic game of non league football and overall it was a very enjoyable afternoon. Avonmouth seem a great club who are firmly on the up both on and off the pitch - it will be interesting to see how they continue to progress in the next few years

Charlton Athletic 0 v 0 Reading

Saturday 4th January 2025, Kick-off 15.00

EFL League One

The Valley, Charlton

Admission: Season Ticket

Programme: £3.50

Attendance: 15,526 (2,665 away)

A match report from a Charlton perspective can be read by clicking here , also copied and pasted below

And from a Reading perspective by clicking here also copied and pasted below

Brief video highlights can be watched by clicking here

Addicks extend unbeaten run with Reading draw

Charlton 0 Reading 0

The Addicks were clapped off the pitch at The Valley after outplaying Reading in a goalless, but exciting, draw.

Charlton had 17 shots, a goal disallowed for a very close offside, brought the best from Reading goalkeeper Joel Pereira and when Pereira was beaten, had a shot excellently cleared off the lined by Harlee Dean.

The result means Nathan Jones’ side end the festive period with 10 points from a possible twelve and are now unbeaten in six league games, conceding just two goals in that time. 

In bustling first half, both sides played some good football but were unable to find the crucial finishing touch.

Lloyd Jones made a big block to deny the in-form Harvey Knibbs for the visitors best chance of the opening period. For the Addicks Thierry Small and Tyreece Campbell were involved in most of Charlton's first half attacks.

Small drove a shot just over the crossbar from 35 yards and, arriving at the back-post, met a difficult volley which went wide of goal.

Tyreece Campbell beat the offside trap but shot too close to Pereira and then hit a low shot which the goalkeeper palmed around the post. 

The Addicks ended the first half well but had Ashley Maynard-Brewer to thank for a big save at the start of the second half. The Australian stopper was out quickly to block an effort from Sam Smith who had got in behind the Charlton defence.

The Covered End were cheering what they thought was an opening goal in the 53rd minute. Tyreece Campbell got on the end of a Miles Leaburn flick-on and finished superbly. The celebrations were cut short though by the Assistant Referee, who adjudged the Charlton striker to have been in an offside position. 

The Charlton pressure ramped up and Pereira did really well to hold onto a cushioned volley from Greg Docherty that took a deflection coming through a crowded area.

When Periera was beaten it was his defence to the rescue. The goalkeeper dropped a cross into the path of Leaburn but veteran defender Harlee Dean made a superb goal-line clearance to keep the Addicks out. 

Pereira was back to his best to keep out a Lloyd Jones shot from a Luke Berry cross as the Addicks piled on the pressure.

Small was next to come closest, beating three Reading defenders to get into a good position before blasting his shot high and wide. 

Despite the chances, Nathan Jones' side were unable to find a winner. The Addicks are back in action next weekend in the Emirates FA Cup against Preston North End.

Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; A.Mitchell, Jones, Gillesphey; Small, Docherty (c), Coventry, Berry, Edwards; Leaburn (Aneke 81), T.Campbell (Godden 88)

Subs: Mannion, Edmonds-Green, Anderson, A.Campbell, Ahadme

Reading: Pereira, Abreda (Ahmed 71), Dean, Knibbs, Savage, Smith, Bindon, Mbengue, Wing (c), Garcia (Wareham 85), Kanu

Subs (not used): Button, Rushesha, Holzman, Sackey, Osho

Booked: Mbengue 45 (tackle on Docherty), Ahmed 79 (foul on Edwards)

Referee: Scott Oldham

Attendance: 15,526 (2,665 from Reading)

Report | Charlton Athletic 0-0 Reading

Concluding the festive period unbeaten

Reading played out a goalless draw with Charlton on Saturday afternoon to make it 10 points from a possible 12 across the Christmas period and re-inforce our position in the top six.

The Royals got the game underway in freezing conditions in the capital, with the opening exchanges seeing the Royals on the front foot with their pressing, putting the hosts under pressure in their own half. Down the other end Charlton were looking to get crosses into the box, but resolute defending meant they were unable to create any opportunities.

As the clock ticked past the ten minute mark, Reading enjoyed back to back corners that subsequently gave the Addicks something to think about. The Royals recycled the ball from the initial corner, which gave the returning Kelvin Abrefa a chance to cross into the box, it created a melee with the bouncing ball, but unfortunately it wouldn't quite drop for the Noel Hunt's attackers.

Harvey Knibbs had the first chance of note in the game on 14 minutes. Another cross into the box from Abrefa saw the ball ricochet to our number 7, his first time strike was on target but very well blocked at close quarters by the Charlton defence.

The host's first shot of the game came on 19 minutes when wideman Thierry Smalls fired a speculative effort goalwards from all of 35 yards. It gave something for Joel Pereira to think about, but El Gato was able to coolly determine a save wasn't required and it sailed over his bar.

At the midway point in the half, the unlikely duo of Amadou Mbengue and Tyler Bindon went close to opening the scoring. Full back for the day Mbengue was able to send a pinpoint cross into the box in the direction of Bindon, who ran onto the ball and looked to apply a deft touch into the far corner of the goal, but he didn't quite get enough on it and it bobbled wide.

Tyreece Campbell forced Pereira into a save in the final five minutes of the half. The wide man was able to wriggle past Mbengue and Knibbs on the left hand wing and send a right footed shot goalwards, the effort may have been going wide, but Pereira was unsure and deflected it wide for a corner.

Half-time: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Reading

The Royals flew out the traps in the second half, with Knibbs and Sam Smith combining to create the best chance of the game within 25 seconds of the restart. The goalscorers from Wednesday's win at Cambridge combined well, with Knibbs feeding a pinpoint pass forward to the striker Smith. Our number 10 did well to get goalside of the man, but his chip over the keeper Maynard-Brewer was deflected just wide by the keeper.

Smith was in the action once more just a few minutes later when he saw a volleyed effort deflected wide via the arm of a Charlton defender, the referee was unmoved and signalled for a corner. From the resulting set piece Harlee Dean made a strong run to the near post to get his head on the ball, but he got too much on it and it went wide.

The fast paced start to the half continued when Charlton had the ball in the net courtesy of a deflected Tyrese Campbell effort. The wide man wheeled away in celebration with his teammates, but was unaware the offside flag had rightly been raised. The Royals had hoped to make a quick restart to the proceedings with the Charlton players celebrating, but the referee prevented this from happening.

As the game entered the final quarter, Pereira made a smart save to deny a volleyed effort from Charlton skipper Greg Docherty. The ball travelled through multiple players after the Royals defence had originally cleared a corner, with the Portuguese able to not only deny a goal but also grasp the ball into safety.

With 20 minutes of the allotted 90 remaining, the Royals had Harlee Dean to thank after a fantastic goal line clearance to keep the match level. Pereira had initially struggled to seize a Thierry Small cross, Miles Leaburn was able to pounce and shoot goalwards, but the experience centre back was in the right place at the right time and cleared well.

Kelvin Abrefa was removed from the action on 70 minutes after putting in a strong performance on his return to the starting line-up, he was replaced by Ashqar Ahmed.

The Royals were denied a penalty once more with a Smith shot seemingly striking the arm of Lloyd Jones in the box, but the referee ruled against Noel Hunt's side again.

The hosts went close to opening the scoring with a quarter of an hour of the game remaining, a cross into the box saw Jones able to strike goalwards but Pereira was able to save well in the centre of his goal.

Charlton were knocking on the door, and the Royals were thankful for a fantastic Charlie Savage intervention to prevent his team going behind late on. Tyreece Campbell looked to have broken the offside trap and was through on goal, but a fantastic covering run from the Welshman and a pinpoint tackle saw the danger averted.

Jayden Wareham was brought on with ten minutes remaining, he replaced the lively Andre Garcia who had once againput in a big shift for his team.

Four minutes of additional time was indicated and passed with little incident, the Royals able to secure a commendable point at the in form Addicks.

Full-time: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Reading

Charlton Athletic: Maynard-Brewer, Gillesphey, Mitchell, Jones, Coventry, Campbell, Berry, Docherty ©, Leaburn (Aneke 81'), Edwards, Small

Unused Subs: Mannion, Ahadme, Anderson, Edmonds-Green, Godden, Campbell

Reading: Pereira, Abrefa (Ahmed 71'), Dean, Knibbs, Savage, Smith, Bindon, Mbengue, Wing ©, Garcia (Wareham 85'), Kanu

Unused Subs: Button, Rushesha, Holzman, Sackey, Osho

Yellows: Mbengue (45'), Ahmed (79')