Aveley 1, Weston-super-Mare 2
THE promise from a fine midweek win at promotion-chasing Maidstone dissipated in the final five minutes of Saturday's (15 February) clash at Parkside when Aveley's hopes of avoiding relegation bombed thanks to two late goals in a somewhat controversial climax to this National League South clash.
Millers' boss Danny Scopes was careful in his choice of wards after the final whistle and was graphically honest about his own side;'s failing but clearly felt his side did not get a fair rub of the green.
Having said that, he conceded that the responsibility was up to his players to step up to the mark in tough and difficult encounters and, once again, they fell short of the mark.
This was a match that Aveley looked set to win, boosted by an early goal, but ultimately they were were caught cold.
Millers were ahead after 15 minutes, when Razzaq Coleman De-Graft's shot took an unexpected turn off David Kawa, and ended up in the back of the net.
While the first half lacked real intensity, the same could not be said of the second stanza when both teams crafted numerous chances.
Hamza Semakula and Coleman De-Graft delivered impressive shots, both of which were skillfully saved by Weston's on-loan keeper Max Harris.
Despite problems caused by injuries to an already depleted squad Millers held their own in the second half, despite having to make shuffles like putting attacking midfielder Tyrese Owen into the back line.
And in the closing ten minutes Millers fans felt refereeing decisions were going unfairly against them, not least when centre-back Jason Pope fouled Manny Ogunrinde, who was advancing unchallenged down the right flank.
Despite already being on a yellow card, Pope was only given a verbal warning.
A minute later, Weston equalised through a swift counter attack. Luke Coulson's precise cross put pressue on Aveley defender Ring, who inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.
Five minutes before the game concluded, Aveley were controversially denied a penalty in another incident involving Pope and Ogunrinde who appeared to be denied a run on goal by the Weston plater's outstretched arm. Millers' appeals were waved away,
And the final indignity and disappointment came in the final minute when Coulson delivered a well-placed pass to Ruben Reid, who calmly slotted the ball into the net to seal the victory for the visitors.
Next weekend Millers have a potentially season-defining trip to bottom club Weymouth,
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