AFC Hornchurch 1, Aveley 2

AVELEY sprang a giant-killing act today (Saturday, 11 January) to earn a historic place in the last 16 of the FA Trophy thanks to a fine win against derby rivals Hornchurch.

The Millers travelled to Bridge Road as underdogs but a second half goal from Harry Gibbs secured a deserved victory.

The visitors gave early notice of their intent when Alex Akrofi forced a save from Joe Wright in the fourth minute and the keeper was kept busy, keeping out a header from George Sykes after good work by Jon Nzengo a couple of minutes later.

The pressure paid off on nine minutes when Akrofi was brought down by Nathan Cooper in the box and Shad Ngandu slotted home the subsequent penalty.

Hornchurch responded by hitting the upright on 23 minutes but the upper hand was undoubtedly with Aveley and Hornchurch had a bit of an escape on 36 minutes when Cooper brought down Akrofi as he bore down on goal.

Many in the crowd of 589 thought he might have got a red card by the ref was satisfied with a yellow.

Hornchurch rallied in the closing stages of the half and George Saunders fired wide when he might have done better, as did Chris Dickson soon after.

They were rewarded just before half time when a ball inton the box was adjudged to have hit the arm of Jack Mochalski and Dickson stepped up to roll the penalty into the middle of the goal.

Millers shrugged off the disappointment and made a bright start to the seconbd half and the pressure resulted into a poor challenge from Micky Parcell on Jason Raad and he picked up a straight red card.

And eight minutes into the second half Aveley regained the lead when Nzengo's fine cross picked out Gibbs who headed powerfully home.

The rest of the half saw Hornchurch's ten men step up their game but Aveley, and keeper David Hughes were equal to anything thrown at them.