Aveley 3, Potters Bar Town 1

MILLERS sit proudly atop the Isthmian Premier table this evening (Monday, 12 September) after coming out on top of another late drama-packed clash with Potters Bar.

Twice in the past 11 days the two sides clashed in the FA Cup first qualifying round, with the Scholars eventually coming out on top with an injury time replay goal.

The first tie also saw late drama, with Aveley scoring in the tie at Parkside as the game ticked into injury time.

Fate brought the two sides together for a third meeting in the league at parkside tonight and once more there was a late, late show.

But this time the Millers came out on top and now sit three points clear of Bar at the top of the table.

The early stages of the game tonight, in front of a crowd of 343, gave little insight into what was to follow as the visitors took the lead after just eight minutes when Isaac Galliford raced through the middle and, from distance, powered a shot past David Hughes.

It was a lead that, despite a couple of efforts from Aveley's most threatening player, George Sykes, Bar took into the break.

Sykes also had the first real chance of the second half but was denied by keeper Ted Collins.

Aveley were gradually stepping up the pressure and finally got their reward on 68 minutes when Brendon Shabani struck a shot from outside the box and it deflected past Collins into the back of the net!

The Millers continued to press and finally breached the desperate Bar defence with five minutes to go when Benas Vaivada's flick set up Sykes to score.

And the game and the league leadership was made safe when sub Bryan Ifeany was taken down in the box and Sykes drilled home a last minute spot kick.