Tonbridge Angels 2, Aveley 1

AVELEY came away from the Longmead Stadium with no points on Saturday (14 December) but turned in a credible performance and there was little between the two sides.

The visitors made a decent start and created the first significant chance when Joel Thompson picked out Ibby Akanbi who fired an effort over the bar from long range.

However, it was to be angels who opened the scoring on 17 minutes when a cross from the left came off Aveley's Jason Ring and flew into the net for an own goal.

Aveley at Tonbridge. Picture by Tiego Grenho.

Millers produced an almost instantaneous reply. Just four minutes had passed before they were level when Akabi got on the end of a cross to find the net.

The visitors finished the half stronger.

A ball from Joel Thompson almost picked out Brooklyn Kabongolo but home stopper Matthew Rowley just managed to intercept.

There was still time for Akanbi to back heels brilliantly to Thompson, who in turn whipped in a good ball to Manny Ogunrinde who headed it just wide of the left hand post.

Miller continued to press after the restart and created half chances, though they had a scare on the hour when Crossley Lema's header threated the goal of Carey Bloedorm, who kept his place despite the signing of James Holden from fellow Vanarama National South side Hemel Hempstead Town, the but ball went just over.

And the winner arrived at the same end on 76 minutes when a corner was headed home by Ethan Sutcliffe.

Aveley rang the changes in the closing stages, but were unable to find an equaliser.

The defeat leaves them 21st in the table and still in the drop zone, four points behind Bath City - who they meet away next weekend.