Aveley 2, Dulwich Hamlet 1

AVELEY continued their impressive form on Saturday (7 February), securing four straight victories at Parkside to maintain their second-place position in the Isthmian Premier League.

The first half was a dull affair, mirroring the weather conditions. Dulwich struggled to create chances, relying on slow build-up play from the back. Their best effort came from Nyren Clunis, who fired wide of the right-hand post from six yards out.

Aveley had their own opportunities. Chris Harris fired over a follow-up effort after Jesse Nwabueze was denied by Toby Bull.

Both sides had one more chance apiece to end the first half. Mitchell denied Talla with strong hands, while Fletcher Hubbard and Harris combined well, with Hubbard's effort going wide of the goal.

The hosts increased the tempo at the start of the second half. Toby Bull tipped an effort from Saunders wide of the right-hand post. A penalty was denied for a handball that stopped Harris getting on the end of a ball in behind, but the shouts were waved away.

Bull almost went from hero to zero for the visitors after making a great save at full stretch to deny Nwabueze. Moments later, a cross into the box from Fletcher Hubbard was palmed into his own goal by Bull under no pressure, but the ball was adjudged not to go across the goal line by the assistant referee.

Aveley finally found the back of the net. Matty Johnson fizzed in an incredible cross to Harris, who applied a brilliant headed finish, with the ball hitting the underside of the bar on its way into the goal.

The game became one-way traffic as Aveley continued their pursuit of more goals. Within ten minutes, they doubled their lead. George Saunders slipped in down the right-hand side of the penalty area, composing himself to rifle his effort into the goal.

The final ten minutes of the game felt like how many goals Aveley could score. Harris set up Nwabueze, who was denied a one-on-one by Bull. Bull then tipped a left-footed strike by Robinson wide of the left-hand post.

The visitors weren't out of the game and did force Rylee Mitchell into a brilliant reaction save. It looked like Aveley had secured another clean sheet, but a late consolation goal from Talla as he stroked home from the edge of the area made the scoreline look much closer than it did in the second half.

Brett Munyard's post match verdict:

Millers are next in action on Saturday, 14 February when they travel to the south coast to meet Lewes.