Aveley 0, Chippenham 1

A LATE goal condemned Aveley to another National League South defeat on Saturday (12 October) when a defensive error, on top of a lack of bite in front of goal, cost them dear.

It all left manager danny Scopes fruistrated and while he said he couldn't fault the effort, his team have to start showing improvements in vital areas.

The hosts were the first to show as they forced an early corner on three minutes but couldn't pick out a player with the first cross, or when the ball was played back in. Charlee Hughes was waiting and looked well-placed, but the ball just went over his head.,

Two minutes later the visiting Bluebirds fashioned a good chance as Tom Mehew was given the freedom of Parkside but keeper Carey Bloedorn spared his side's blushes by blocking the shot.

Aveley's Manny Ogunrinde then drove into the box before going to ground but appeals for a penalty were waved aside.

As the home side continued to make the running, a further corner was scrambled clear before Ogunrinde was put through on goal but Will Henry came out on top in a one-on-one situation.

On 24 minutes a quickly taken Chippenham free kick saw Lewis Colwell's cross cum shot almost find the net.

The Millers continued to press and a further corner again failed to bring them any reward and the match was goalless at the break.

After the break Alex Kpakpe found Hughes but, from a good position, he headed wide. Amd Hughes had another opportunity soon after, but he dithered on his first touch and the chance was lost.

Chippenham then produced a decent spell of pressure and several scrambles happened in the home box, with the visitors claiming a penalty when Leone Gravata went down but the appeals were waved away.

It was an action-packed start to the half and on 51 minutes Razzaq Coleman-De Graft cut in for Millers but his shot was off target, and then Hughes again failed to make the most of another chance.

Just before the hour mark a scramble in the Aveley area saw Adam Leathers come to the home side's rescue as he cleared the danger. Then Brooklyn Kabongolo saved Millers with a stretching clearance to mitigate a dangerous ball into the box.

Ten minutes from time Aveley substitute Hamza Semakula, on his return from a loan spell at Hendon, presented Coleman De-Graft with a chance but his shot was blocked.

The deciding goal came eight minutes from time when a defensive mistake left Bloedorn stranded and Gravata chipped into an unguarded net.

A minute later Will Dawes almost doubled the lead but his shot went just wide.

Four minutes from time Ogunrinde found substitute and recent signing Ibby Akanbi but he couldn't control the ball and visiting keeper Will Henry grabbed it and that was it as far as Millers' hopes were concerned.

The defeat leaves Aveley one off the bottom, but Scopes still believes his team have it in their locker to turn things around, citing positives in the match at Farnborough and against Chippenham.

He said: ""A tight game, we have lost to an error and a misjudgement which has happened too many times this season and it's frustrating.

"I feel for the group a little bit because they have given everything they have got and they are putting in the effort.

"Things are not just going our way. It's not an excuse but I wouldn't say it if I didn't think it was the case. Things have not gone our way.

"We do have to get better with our consistency. We have some good moments, but we have to have consistency in our game,

"We have created a lot of opportunities in our past two games but have rushed them. That may be down to the pressure of where we are.

"We need people who are willing to fight and compete with us. But we can still see some positives in the last few weeks.

"We do need to work harder and maybe get that little bit of luck to help things turn our way."

Millers are next in action this coming weekend when they go to Enfield Town (Saturday, 19 October) in a derby that will be vital, as both sides are in the bottom four.