Aveley 1, Chesham United 3

AVELEY bowed out of the FA Trophy this evening on a disappointing night at Parkside where just 121 were present for a second round tie which offered the prize of a home draw against former Football league side Torquay in the next round.

That dubious pleasure against a side running away with a six point lead at the top of the National League, albeit beaten at home by Dagenham and Redbridge this evening, now goes to Southern League Premier South Chesham who were up against a Millers side reduced to ten men for much of tonight's match.

Recent signing Darelle Russell saw red in the 26th minute when ref Jack Willmore imposed the most severe punishment for a poor challenge.

By then Aveley were already a goal behind after Steve Brown scored in the 15th minute.

To their credit the ten men stayed in the game and more than matched a side in seventh place in the tier above them in the non-League pyramid and they were well in the match until the hour mark when Zack Joseph extended the visitors' lead.

Aveley then rang the changes, pushing centre-back Steve Sheehan up front and they began to push Chesham backwards.

They were rewarded with a goal in the 82nd minute when Freddie Gard converted a penalty and as the clock ticked down they twice came close to an equaliser with an effort hitting the woodwork and another rolling across the line.

As so often happens, it was Chesham who were to put the game to bed against the momentum of the moment when David Pearce grabbed their third in the last minute.

Now, after another memorable Trophy run, Aveley go into hibernation as the Isthmian League is currently suspended due to Covid restrictions, though it is understood some clubs may be granted the right to play league matches if both sides are in agreement.