Manor Farm continue their goal-laden pre-season as they scored six away to Avonmouth, writes Jack Davies.
A big part of the excitement around the club this summer has been the strength in depth as Lashenko was able to ring the changes from Tuesday and still field a very strong eleven. One of the changes, Theo Llewelyn, sent an early diagonal into the area that Tuesdays brace scorer, Ollie Woodhouse, could only head just wide. Farm’s early dominance had a reward after five minutes. Steve Kingdon won his defensive header superbly and once the ball found its way out to Alfie Cummings, the youngster’s cross was perfect for captain Jamie Adams to nod his first goal since his return to the club this summer. New man Owen Brain was making his debut and looked very lively. He beat a defender down the line and crossed to Evander Grubb, who volleyed narrowly wide. The debutant then fashioned a chance of his own, pressing high before firing a curler that sailed just over. Grubb was looking every likely to add to his impressive brace on Tuesday. He collected a raking pass from Adams before flying past two Avonmouth defenders, before seeing his shot smartly saved. Farm looked dangerous up until the half time whistle but couldn’t find the finishing touch. Brain had another effort well saved before Bevan Cross send an effort just past the post.
Another key component of Farm’s summer optimism had been the renewed fitness and another strong second half emphasised that work. Just a few minutes after the break, Farm finally doubled their lead but not before an outstanding save from the substitute Avonmouth keeper. The youngster somehow got fingertips to a goal bound Grubb effort before he conceded from the resulting corner. Cross with the delivery and Harry Lucas crashed a header into the net. The third goal was the pick of the bunch and was finished in style. Grubb flicked to substitute Ben Bament who in turn flicked to fellow replacement Shea Bennington-Mannings, who lashed a volley into the far corner. Bament is Farm’s top scorer this summer and he got in on the act again after an hour. Grubb again involved as his cross dropped all the way to the back post where Bament laid in wait to finish. Four became five almost immediately. Adams stole the ball in midfield before his perfect lofted pass found that man Grubb, who’s deft lob over the keeper matched the quality of his second half performance so far. The final word went to the ever-willing Brain. More tenacious work saw the striker dribble past two home defenders before he sent a drive that arrowed into the far corner to give Farm a sixth.