AVELEY were far from firing on all cylinders but did enough to return to Isthmian North winning ways this afternoon (Saturday, 24 October), but there were defeats for Grays Athletic in the same division and East Thurrock United in the Isthmian Premier.

Aveley got off to a good start at home to Witham Town when Steve Sheehan was fouled in the box and George Sykes converted the 11th minute penalty.

The lead was doubled 11 minutes later when Alex Clark smashed the ball in from close range.

Just before the half hour Millers conceded a poor goal when Usman Adeniji put his side back in it with a goal from close quarters.

That was how it stood at half time with Aveley going into break they ought to have been further ahead and they started the second half strongly, pressing the visitors back and ultimately being rewarded on 54 minutes when Sykes rounded off a good move for his second of the game.

New signing David Knight marked his debut for his umpteenth club with Aveley's fourth goal three minutes later, getting on the end of Clark's cross.

On the hour Aveley keeper David Hughes saved penalty after Jason Ring fouled Adenji, but there was to be a late consolation for Witham, who had Dan McCullock sent off on 64 minutes, when a ball was spilled in the box five minutes from time and Greg Akpele pounced to score.

There was also a late goal at Rookery Hill where East Thurrock played host to league leaders Worthing who played the last third of the match with ten men after Cameron Tutt was sent off.

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The Rocks had done well in the first half and matched their visitors, only to be undone by goals from Joel Colbran after 35 minutes and Mo Diallo four minutes before the break.

Omar Koroma's 85th minute penalty sealed the win for the ten men before Ezekiel Bademosi netted for the Rocks in the last minute.

Grays Athletic travelled to Soham Town Rangers and went down to the only goal of the game from Cameron Watson on 37 minutes.