Aveley 5, Ramsgate 0

A PERFORMANCE to remember saw Aveley blow away visitors Ramsgate in Saturday's (1 November) Isthmian Premier clash at Parkside that put Millers with three points – with three matches in hand – of the play-off places.

Millers started on the front foot and George Saunders centred to Chris Harris who was alive at the back post to fire it home after five minutes.

A minute later and the lead was doubled, Saunders and Ollie Peters combined with the latter crossing into the six-yard box, Aveley forward Suley Zuhdu was about to tap home but a combination of Ramsgate goalkeeper and defender sent the ball into the bottom corner.

Ten minutes later and it was three! Saunders combined with Harris again and he found the finish to put it past Aiden Prall in the Ramsgate goal.

If not for the visiting keeper, it could have been something of a cricket score at Parkside, as the keeper denied Saunders, Tobi Tinubu and Zuhdu in quick succession.

Critchley hit the bottom left-hand corner of the Ramsgate post as Aveley continued to put the foot to the pedal for more. Just before half-time Aveley had a goal disallowed after Zuhdu was adjudged to be offside after tapping home from close range.

Aveley did get their fourth before half time, this time it was Ollie Peters, he charged down a clearance in added-on time in the first half and passed coolly into the net.

The hosts kept hunting for more and almost had a fifth through Chris Harris, Peters squared to Harris but the striker was denied by the Ramsgate keeper in the first minute of the second half.

With twenty minutes to go, Aveley hit the post for a second time. Jayden Robinson cut inside, leaving two Ramsgate defenders on the floor before firing towards the goal, but the keeper saved the ball onto the left-hand post.

Sub Harry Haysom was next to be denied from a finger-tip from the visitors' keeper. But Aveley weren't to be denied, as from the following corner, Peters found Aveley captain Ryan Henshaw, who headed home.

Jayden Robinson was still looking for his first of the afternoon after previously being denied by the woodwork. This time, his effort was tipped round the right-hand post by Prall. A minute later, Prall was called into action again. Harris found Peters, who attempted to chip the ball over the on-rushing Prall. The keeper again denied the Millers with a strong right-hand to keep it out.

Deep into stoppage time, Aveley almost got another, this time through new signing, substitute Jesse Nwabueze. He twisted and turned at pace before firing an effort just wide of the left-hand post.

Jesse Nwabueze

Nwabueze made his Millers debut after signing from National South side Maidstone United. The 22-year-old began his career in the Academy set-up at Crystal Palace before joining Ipswich Town in October 2020. He spent loan spells with Bury Town, Stowmarket Town and Felixstowe & Walton United. He went on to play in the National League for batch City and the Stones.

His arrival at Parkside coincided with the departure of Saint Kitts and Nevis Rowan Liburd, who had featured 15 times for Millers this season. He's switched one Millers for another, joining fellow Isthmian Premier Cray Valley PM and making his debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lewes.

Saturday's match was a superb performance from Aveley, who have now racked up 17 goals in the five games. Next up for the Millers is a trip to Cray Valley and reunion with Liburd, this coming Tuesday (4 November).