Colchester United 1, Aveley 3

ISTHMIAN Premier Millers took on the highest-ranked club in the Essex Senior Cup and Tuesday (21 October) and sprang an upset – beating League Two Colchester United, who had eight players with first-team experience in their starting XI.

Inside two minutes, the first chance of the game came, and it fell to Aveley. Suley Zuhdu found space in the area, but his effort was saved by the U's keeper.

Suley wasn't to be denied for long, as Albie Armin and Ollie Peters combined to find Zuhdu, who directed a header into the goal.

Within five minutes, Suley almost doubled Aveley's lead. After a one-two with Chris Harris, Zuhdu fired his shot just over the crossbar.

Just after 20 minutes Aveley did grab a second. A corner met the head of Jayden Gipson, who found the back of the net to take a lead into the break.

The League Two side were looking for an immediate route back into the game on the resumption; a nice control and turn from Gordon allowed room for a strike from 25 yards out, which flashed wide of the goal.

Ten minutes later Aveley added a third, and it was a second from Zuhdu. The hosts tried playing out from the back, with it being intercepted and crossed into Zuhdu, with the forward clinically firing home from close range.

With 20 minutes to go the hosts pulled a goal back through Kaion Lisbie after Gordon slipped a ball across the box and found Lisbie who tapped home from close range.

The Millers had the opportunity to reinstate the three goal lead. Making his Aveley debut at the age of 17, the midfielder Louis Reynolds who has impressed from U16s progressing to Under 23's - made an impact and set up George Saunders who just couldn't apply the finish from close range.

Ryan Charles was next to almost grab an Aveley fourth at the Community Stadium. He fired an effort low at the near post of Smith, but the 23-year-old Colchester goalkeeper, who has made four League Two appearances this season, kept it out.

The Millers looked like the team most likely to add another goal but didn't need it as they earned a place in Friday's draw.