Aveley 2, Maidstone 0

AVELEY beat promotion hopefuls Maidstone United two-nil at Parkside. Monday night's game (19 February) saw Millers pick up an emphatic three points in the Vanarama National League South. 

Millers have climbed back into a playoff spot (7th) with arguably their best performance of the season, but teams below have a game in hand.

Both teams had great chances in the first half, but the score remained nil-nil. Ogunrinde squandered a fantastic Millers opportunity in the 24th minute after Ryan Carr danced round the keeper and played the ball to Ogunrinde, but he fired over the bar.

Early in the second half, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft scored arguably the goal of the season for Aveley in the 56th minute. He turned left and right leaving the Maidstone defenders behind and fired a ferocious shot from outside the box which beat the goalkeeper.

Just three minutes later, Maidstone defender Paul Appiah was shown a second yellow card much to Millers delight.

After the sending off Millers dominance perused. Charlee Hughes scored the second after 86 minutes. De-Graft's shot was denied by the keeper, but Hughes was on hand to tap home.

Aveley came away with three points against the team who beat Championship side Ipswich less than a month ago!

After the game, retuning man Kenny Aileru posted on X, "Back on the pitch with my brothers. Thank you Jesus. 3pt business".

On Saturday (24 February), Millers take on Torquay United at Plainmoor in the Vanarama National League South. Torquay have lost their last five games and sit 12th in the league. A great opportunity for Aveley to build on an impressive victory.