Stroud and District Div Four

Avonvale Utd Res 1 Tuffley Rovers III 6

AVONVALE were at home to table-topping Tuffley Rovers Reserves and if Vale’s recent outings were anything to go by, Tuffley were in for a tough test.

Vale frustrated Tuffley from the start with some strong defending and big tackles from Hamish Lambert and Adam Roberts, but Tuffley’s constant pressure paid off when they found space 30 yards out and a long-range effort with plenty of power found the back of the Vale net.

Tuffley were 2-0 up shortly after but a high line maintained by Vale’s back four kept Tuffley’s forwards on their toes. Vale were unfortunate to be 3-0 down at half time with some clinical finishing from Tuffley being the major difference.

With the second-half underway, Vale came out with a battling attitude again and young Josh Eddolls in central midfield proved to be a star in the making.

However it was not long until Tuffley were four goals up. Vale grabbed a consolation late on with a delightful through ball from Fran Eddolls to Dan Dingwall who powered home a shot from inside the box.

Vale refused to give up with defiant defending and some superb tackles from both Lambert and Charlie Eddolls. Vale were denied a second goal when George Kent’s close range shot was blocked on the line and Luke Daniels shot deflected off the post into the grateful hands of the Tuffley keeper.

Tuffley got a sixth towards the end.