Aveley 3, Redbridge 4

A WINNING goal seven minutes into extra time denied Aveley the possibility of a penalty shoot-out escape from an Isthmian Velocity Cup tie at Parkside on Monday (1 December) evening.

But it didn't absolve Aveley's players from a tongue-lashing from Brett Munyard, who ripped into his Premier Division players who lost out to a side from the tier below.

The match was played out in atrocious weather and Aveley had far from their strongest team out, but Munyard was having no excuses. In his post-match interview, he said: "I am gobsmacked, I really am. It was a disgraceful performance. There is no excuse.

"I don't care how many people were missing. We were still strong, but we produced absolute dross. I can only apologise. I don't know how many people were here to have to pay ten to 12 quid to watch that, it is a disgrace.

"I don't care what kind of run we've been or on what has happened over the last two months, things like that won't be pushed under the carpet so a few home truths have gone in to the players."

Aveley had started the brighter of the two sides, with Ryan Charles drilling an early effort wide. However, it was Redbridge who struck first. A precise ball over the top from Jack Chawner released Malachi Napa, who squared for Solomon Ogunwomoju to finish clinically past Christian North in just the fifth minute.

Moments later, the visitors doubled their lead. Ogunwomoju turned provider, finding Napa, who unselfishly set up Kaya Hansson-Ramis-Hayettin for a simple close-range finish. Redbridge looked rampant and could have added a third when Prince Sikiru danced past a defender, but Ogunwomoju's tame effort was easily saved.

Aveley clawed one back in fortuitous fashion as Ryan Charles' 22nd-minute cross, aided by the swirling wind, sailed over everyone and into the net.

The hosts grew in confidence and they soon equalised through Jayden Gipson, who pounced on a loose ball after a corner caused chaos in the box on 28 minutes and two minutes later the impetus looked to be completely with Millers when Prince Sikiru was shown a straight red for retaliation

Aveley pressed for a third, but Samuel Nwabuko bravely denied Christopher Harris before the break. The sides went into the interval on even terms in terms of the scoreline, but the scene looked set for Millers to take command.

However, that was not the way things unfolded.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Redbridge continued to threaten. Jack Chawner's audacious long-range free-kick almost caught Christian North off his line, while Napa's clever lob was gathered at the second attempt.

Having survived those scares, Aveley nipped into the driving seat thanks to a stunning strike from Joshua Colyer, who curled home from the edge of the box to make it 3–2 on 58 minutes.

However, Redbridge hit back almost immediately, when Kaya Hansson-Ramis-Hayrettin was brought down in the area, and Napa coolly converted the penalty.

The closing stages were frantic. Redbridge dominated, forcing a series of corners and twice hitting the woodwork in quick succession through Napa with North well beaten on both occasions.

Just as the game seemed destined for penalties, Kai Thomas-Fraser popped up at the far post in stoppage time to slot home the winner, sparking wild celebrations from the away bench and huge discord in the home dressing room as Munyard lambasted his players after the match, though he conceded: "Redbridge who were brilliant tonight and were worthy winners."