Aveley 0, Lewes 2

THE visiting Rooks clinched their first victory over Aveley since a 4-1 victory back in 2011 after two second-half goals in Saturday's (29 August) Isthmian Premier clash at Parkjside - where Millers played with ten men for more than 70 minutes.

The visitors started brightly and created the first opening when Tyrese Owen won a header at the front post, flicking it to the back post, but a goal was denied after a combination of goalkeeper Charlie Turner and defender Jayden Gipson getting it away.

Aveley had a glorious chance a few minutes later, a free-kick in from Jayden Robinson, found a combination of Chris Harris and Ryan Henshaw in the middle of the goal, but the ball ended up an inch wide of the right-hand post.

The game was finely balanced, but 19 minutes minutes into it, the referee pulled out a straight red for Aveley captain Ryan Henshaw. After initially going to his other pocket, the referee seemed to change his mind and awarded the defender his marching orders.

Despite the red card, you wouldn't have noticed the disparity in numbers based on the chances for both sides for the remainder of the first half. Pllie Peters almost had his head taken off his shoulders by Tom Bender, who attempted a dangerous overhead kick in a packed penalty area, with the effort going over the bar.

Just before the break, it was ten-man Aveley who had the chance to break the deadlock. A free-kick into the box found Gipson, who headed across the goal and just wide of the left-hand post with Toby Aromolaran just unable to get on the end of it to steer it in.

The second half started with Lewes on top, with the Rooks almost opening the scoring within five minutes. Aveley forward Harris looked to be pulled down, the advantage was played with Bassett in on goal, but he was denied by Turner.

With 30 minutes left, the visitors finally broke down the ten-man resistance. A defence splitting through-ball saw Danny Bassett through on goal, and he made no mistake this time by slipping it under Turner.

Aveley upped it with 15 minutes to go and winger George Saunders had a volley that went just wide of the left-hand post. Long-throw-ins and corners came and went for Aveley with Bender winning almost every single header for the visitors.

As the time ticked into added time, the visitors sealed all three points. Millers had everyone forward, a quick transition in possession saw Ryan Gondoh in on goal and he coolly slid in Lewes' second goal of the match.

Manager Brett Munyard's post match reaction:

Millers are quickly back in action on Monday (31 August) with the short trip to newly-promoted Stanway Rovers, kick-off 3pm.