Aveley 3, Dorking Wanderers 1

THOUGH much of the match was spent fighting a rearguard action, 45 minutes of it with ten men, Aveley pulled of an impressive first Vanarama National League South win of the season against Dorking and their social media legend of a manager, Marc White, on Monday (2 September) evening.

Aveley had shown their resolve in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Torquay and continued on the front foot in the opening stages on Monday's clash against a side relegated from the National league last season and led by the enigmatic White, who is founder, owner, chairman, former player and manager of the 'pub side' that climbed through the non-League pyramid.

White founded Dorking Wanderers with friends in 1999 and entered the fledgling team into the Crawley and District League,l with 12 promotions in 23 years before last season's demise from the top flight. The journey has been highlighted on social media TV channels under the brand 'Bunch of Amateurs'.

And the social media followers saw their side tested by Aveley right from the off.

The Millers fashioned the first opportunity of the game with just a couple of minutes on the clock; a loose Wanderers pass in midfield leading to a counter attack where Tyrese Owen's central shot was blocked, a free kick was then awarded in the subsequent tussle for the ball just outside the box and Manny Ogunrinde's effort on goal was gathered by Foulkes.

For much of the time Millers were content to absorb the visitors' pressure and attack on the counter and that proved effective on 15 minutes a cross was only half cleared and Harry Beadle connected sweetly with a volley to find the far corner of the net.

Despite being pushed back again by Wanderers after the goal, the hosts continued to demonstrate their knack for getting the ball into advanced areas quickly; Charlee Hughes hammering a pacey near post delivery from Tyrese Owen just wide with a first time strike.

And a second goal was to come on 33 minutes, with echoes of the first. Jason Ring's long throw into the penalty area only cleared a short distance before skipper Harry Gibbs lashed the ball into the back of the net from several yards out.

It was almost the perfect half for Millers but the one sour note came just before the break when, somewhat recklessly, Alex Kpakpe picked up his second yellow and was sent off.

White, who was frequently engaged with banter with his trademark banter with the home fans, made changes after the break to exploit the extra man but Aveley held firm throughout a second half which was almost entirely played out in the Millers half of the field.

Dorking had chances but spurned them, with the hard-working home defence also earning immense credit.

And that credit was extended in the last minute when David Kawa produced a clinical finish to add gloss to Millers' scoreline.

At the every end, in added time, Wanderers finally found the net when youngster Joel Brown capping his first senior league appearance with a goal; guiding the ball home from close range.

But it was far too little, far too late from White and his team and Aveley were able to celebrate their first win of the season.

Afterwards Millers boss Danny Scopes paid tribute to his team, saying: "The players have set the standard now. I expect them levels of commitment, desire and effort every single time they put on an Aveley shirt."

Watch his post match interview: