Bower `Absolutely Delighted` With Avenue`s Start

Goals from Mark Ross and Adam Boyes saw Avenue come from behind to make it seven games unbeaten ahead of this Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Southport.

“We are absolutely delighted with that win,” Bower told his club`s official website. “You forget, we’ve got six players missing, and five of those started the first game of the season.

“So, for us to get through what is a really tough period of the opening six weeks of the season, with the points tally we’ve got, I’m absolutely delighted with the players and everyone at the club.

“We’ve done it all together even right down to the ballboys who were getting it back on much quicker on Monday night so we could keep up that tempo.

“It’s just a great feeling, and I’m really pleased for everyone.

“It’s now four unbeaten at home as well, we’ve won two and drawn two of those after home form was a massive problem for us last season.

“If we can continue to average two points a game at home we would be delighted with that, it is a nice run to get yourselves on.

“Monday night though it was another tight game and Boston could possibly argue that a draw may have been a fair result.

“But we took our chance to take the lead when it came and were then really professional in seeing it out from there.

“Games can be tight and it’s that extra bit of quality that turns one point into three, and with Boyesy at the top end of the pitch, he’s always ready to nick a goal for you and win a match.

“Then like I say, we saw it out really well, our substitutes Adam (Nowakowski) and Jamie (Spencer) came on and did a good job for us, and even with the injuries we’ve still got good options from the bench.

“I’m pleased with every single player I’ve got for the part they have played so far in giving us a good platform to kick on for the rest of the season.”

After heavy rain on Monday morning forced a pitch inspection at the Horsfall Stadium, strong winds and a wet surface made for tricky conditions but Bower was pleased with how his side adapted.

“We played the game quite intelligently,” the Avenue manager said.

“Boston are a very direct team, they like to get it forward quickly but the defence dealt with it well and used the wind to their advantage in both halves.

“We cleared it when we had to clear it but they were clever enough to duck under it and let it run through when the wind took it, and that completely took the sting out of any attack they tried to create.

“We dealt with the conditions well, we know Monday nights can be tough here when it gets into the autumn and the winter, we will have a few more in similar situations.

“So, it is important that we use those conditions, play the game correctly and take points from these games.

“I thought we actually kept the ball really well, especially in the first half, before grinding out a really good three points in the second.”

The Avenue boss revealed his frustrations on Saturday after his side went too direct against 10-man Nuneaton, and the instruction to keep the ball on the ground was evident on Monday.

“I just told the lads to be a little bit more patient,” Bower said.

“Last Saturday we were tending to rush things a bit, and probably we did the same on Monday when things were opening up a bit in the second half.

“But we were conscious of making sure the lads kept the ball and moved it around in the first half.

“It’s really tough when you’ve got a team like that where their goalkeeper is timewasting straight from kick-off, they were camped on the edge of their

“So, we knew we had to be patient, try and move it around and get at them that way, and they made it difficult for us.

“But it was important we got the goal back straight after they scored, going in at half time 1-0 down and playing into the wind would have made it really tough for us.

“I’ve told the lads they just need to trust each other, trust the ability of your team-mates.

“If there is a green shirt free to give it to, give it to him, keep the ball moving, and we did it well enough on Monday night to get the result.

“I think there is a lot more to come from us though, and now we get a bit of a break from the league and can look forward to the cup on Saturday.”
Looking ahead to Avenue’s trip to Southport in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, Bower hopes to have a number of his injured party back available for selection.

“We should have four players back for Saturday,” he revealed.

“Luca Havern and Danny Boshell were 50/50 on Monday night and we could possibly have got them involved.

“Nicky Boshell is back training properly now and Steven Drench should be ok with his groin as well.

“So, from being knocked down to our last 16 and having an injured Drenchy on the bench, we should have a few more options for Saturday.

“But that’s the biggest part for me is that we have had injuries and managed to ride it out and still pick up points, not to mention remaining unbeaten.

“All-in-all it’s been a very positive start to the season for us”.