Aveley 3, Cray Valley PM 0

ANOTHER impressive performance by Aveley put them in second place in the Isthmian Premier table this evening and they top the form rankings going into next Tuesday's trip to Cheshunt.

Saturday's (24 January) was the battle of the Millers as both clubs share a nickname - but it was the home side that ground out an emphatic margin of victory.

It had been 62-days since Aveley last performed at home on a Saturday, but they made up for it with a quick-fire start.

Within a minute of the kick-off, Aveley almost opened the scoring. Matty Johnson's long throw was headed on by Chris Harris and almost found Toby Aromolaran, but it was hooked off the line.

The hosts didn't have to wait long though; inside three minutes, it was 1-0. A long throw ended up with Ryan Henshaw having an effort smack the post and the ball broke to Jesse Nwabueze, who fired home from close range.

Two minutes later, and one became two. Another long throw and another Harris flick on into the path of Aromolaran, who finished for his first goal at home for Aveley.

It was a wave after wave of Aveley attack as they looked to kill the game off. 

Johnson almost connected with a Nwabueze cross and then Nwabueze went alone twice in quick succession, but his efforts went off target. George Saunders whipped in a great cross into the box; it found the head of Harry Haysom, but his header hit the side netting.

A 2-0 scoreline is dangerous, and it should have been three within two minutes of the restart. Aromolaran down the right found Harris six yards out, but the ball bounced up as the striker hit it and it flew over the bar from close range.

The visitors had a passage of play for around ten minutes in the second half, but were restricted to efforts from Tom Beere, but his best attempt was blocked well by Henshaw.

Haysom went close again to grabbing Aveley's third of the game. Ryan Charles floated in a cross that he met, but his header from close range went over the bar.

With 20 minutes to go, Aveley were given the chance to make it three, this time from the penalty spot after Harris was fouled by the Cray Valley keeper Taite Haltam on debut. Nwabueze stepped up and saw his spot kick saved; the follow-up was crossed into the back post, but Johnson's effort hit the post.

In the 83rd minute it was finally game set and match. A corner from Robinson was flicked on by Haysom and powered home by Ollie Muldoon at the back post to make it three nil.

The visitors did have one last effort on goal, a brilliant strike from Beere cracked the crossbar and bounced the kind side of the line for Aveley as they secured a clean sheet, three goals and three points.

The result leaves Millers 14 points behind leaders Folkestone Invicta, but they do have two matches in hand - one of which is the trip to the Cheshunt Stadium in a couple of days. 

Watch manager Brett Munyard's post match interview:-