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GROVE MAKE IT THREE AT THE AVB

GROVE MAKE IT THREE AT THE AVB

Martin McConachie18 Apr 2021 - 09:58
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Hengrove Athletic recorded their third successive friendly win as they beat Patchway Town 3-2 in an entertaining encounter at the AVB Stadium.

With the club open for the first time in five months, and the weather decent, the AVB Stadium was a genial host for Grove's match against the Gloucestershire County League side.

The first half was a quiet affair with Carl Bush saving a one-on-one with Lyam O'Rourke until in stoppage time, a ball in from the left found Pete Sheppard who swept the ball in confidently.

Thirteen minutes after the break, Patchway equalised when Yohan Rutty-Smith nipped the ball off a defender's toes before slotting home and they nearly added a second when Finn Thompson's shot whistled wide of the post. The visitors made six substitutions halfway through the second period and then fell behind shortly after when Billy Vaughan dinked a ball in from the left for Jack Jones to nod home.

2-1 soon became 3-1 and there won't be a more popular pre-season goal than this one. Jones broke into the penalty box before being fouled and Vaughan stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot, immediately dedicating the goal to his late father. Nice one, Billy!!

Patchway almost immediately replied when a shot smashed off the bar and was cleared to safety, but six minutes from time, they grabbed a second. Again the crossbar claimed an assist as a shot rebounded off it to Devine who headed in despite some valiant keeping from Bush.

There were no further alarms for the hosts who wrapped up their third win in three; next up for the Grove will be Wick at home on Tuesday night, 7pm kickoff. Again, Government guidance prevents us from having spectators admitted to the game.

Finally, many thanks to Patchway for coming over to the AVB and good luck for the forthcoming season.

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