Aveley vs Chatham Town (From Thurrock Gazette)

5:03pm

Well that's that then.

Five games in, played and finished before tomorrow's cold snap arrives.

Good win and second half performance here from Millers.

A good day for Rocks, too, winning 2-1 away to Bury Town.

Not so good for Stimson's Fleet, who were impressive at home to Cray Wanderers on Tuesday evening. They lost 2-0 to Canvey Island.

An excellent away win for Grays Athleticm bouncing back from a disappointing defeat last week. More good news for them, too, as Maldon drop two points at home to Waltham Abbey.

And Tilbury beat Wroxham in a five goal thriller at Chadfields.

4:58pm

Results from elsewhere then:

Ryman Premier:

Bury Town 1 - 2 East Thurrock United

Canvey Island 2 - 0 Thurrock

Ryman Division One North:

Needham Market 0 - 1 Grays Athletic

Tilbury 3 - 2 Wroxham

4:56pm

Great win for Aveley.

Didn't have it all their own way though.

After Dadson gave them a two goal lead inside ten minutes, Chatham came back into the game through Lee Hayles and were probably the better side for the remainder of the first half.

But they failed to take two good chances late in the first period and were nowhere near as good in the second half.

Aveley, who always look threatening, even when playing badly, were clinical. Dadson, who was excellent, put the hosts 3-1 up after 74 minutes and then a quick brace from top-scorer Jordan Cox made it 5-1 to Aveley. Chatham never really looked like scoring in the second half though!

Aveley remain right in the play off mix - maybe even the title mix as it looks like Maldon have dropped two points at home to Waltham Abbey.

4:50pm

4:48pm

Three minutes added on. Chatham have now conceded 14 goals in three games against Thurrock opposition. Not a happy hunting ground for the Kent side.

4:46pm

Well what a couple of minutes for Aveley, as they well and truly seal the win.

A brace for Cox, who, i'd say is up there in a small group of the league's best strikers. That second is his 16th of the season.

The first was a terrific, clinical move with the visitors all at sea.

Dadson flicked the ball to Holland, who played in Sellears. It was a great cross to the back post by Sellears, and a good save from Roberto following Cox effort. But the ball spun up kindly for Cox who headed into the net.

A minute later, Cox battled well to get on the end of a through ball before slotting the ball past Roberto.

And Cox goes off to big applause from the fans, replaced by Sanuga.

4:36pm

Danny Hopkins is replaced by Sheldon Sellears.

4:36pm

4:35pm

4:35pm

4:34pm

Lovely ball over the top by Billy Holland, Dadson, clean through, taps it on with his head before sliding the ball past Roberto to make it 3-1.

Been very good today, Dadson.

4:32pm

Great defending by Jay Leader as he battles out of a sticky situation deep inside his own half. He's been very good today.

4:28pm

Still 20 minutes to play here. Aveley have been better in the second half and still lead 2-1, but game could go either way.

Gardner's boys could do with another here.

4:27pm

Jordan Cox goes close for Aveley, heading Appiah's cross just over the bar. Unlucky!

4:25pm

Nice interchange between Dadson and Stephenson and the latter shoots low. Well gathered by Roberto.

4:21pm

Junior Appiah has been very disappointing today. Struggled to get the ball under control at times and his passing has been poor. Good crossing opportunity squandered.

4:17pm

Chatham sub, too.

Jake Jeffrey replaces Jamie Lawrence.

4:16pm

Jack Stephenson coming on for Millers. He replaces Rashid Kamara.

4:13pm

Much better from Millers now. The ball is spread left to Dadson, his cross is low and Hopkins is just unable to direct the header at goal, but it's deflected into Roberto's gloves.

4:12pm

Decent shout for an Aveley penalty, as Kamara is pushed in the box. Ref says "no".

4:10pm

Best opening Aveley have had since the tenth minute, but Cox can't turn his effort goal bound. Good movment from Rashid Kamara, who receives the ball on the left from Dadson, but his cross his just behind Cox.

4:07pm

The second half has started much as the first half ended, with Chatham on the front foot. No notable effort on goal yet though.

4:05pm

82 here today!

4:01pm

Chatham on their way out now then.

Which is good, because me and Scott (Aveley press officer) are icing over!

3:50pm

Scores from game's involving Thurrock's other sides:

Ryman Premier:

Canvey Island 1 - 0 Thurrock

Ryman Division One North:

Tilbury 2 - 0 Wroxham

Needham Market 0 - 1 Grays Athletic

3:49pm

Well after a blistering start by Millers, with Dadson seeing his cross deflected in after eight minutes, before doubling the home side's lead after 10, Chatham got back into the game and have probably been the better side since. Two late chances in the half were welcome after a quiet 15/20 minute period that saw zero efforts on goal from either side.

The closes the visitor's came to levelling was when Metitri saw his header cleared off the line by Billy Holland. But it's advantage Aveley at the break.

3:45pm

Garry Tilley jinks inside of a very shaky Thomas before shooting just wide from outside the box.

3:43pm

Good end to the half from Aveley, retaining the ball well, no final ball yet and still no effort on goal from the home side in a while.

3:37pm

Aveley frustrating at the moment. From where I am, there seems to be lots of space to move in to, but players aren't hitting it at the moment.

No shots/chances for a good 20 minutes now.

Five mins to go to half-time.

3:33pm

3:32pm

I've certainly seen Aveley sharper this season. Nice example as Dadson lays off to Kamara, and instead orf turning and darting into the space behind him and the full back he opts not to move after passing.

The Chatham midfield and defence coping relatively well. They certainly don't deserve to be losing here.

3:29pm

Billy Holland heads off the line for Aveley! Kes Metitri rose well to meet Tilley's corner.

It's tit-for-tat here. Both sides looking good going forward, but pretty poor at the back!

3:26pm

Good work from Dadson, who tracked back well as Chatham broke after clearing a poor Nesbitt corner.

The attacker nicks into clear from McDonagh as the forward bears down on goal.

3:23pm

3:22pm

3:20pm

Bradley Thomas, the experienced centre half, is making his debut for Millers.

Taking a little time to build an understanding with Leader here though.

Aveley looking a little shaky at the back, as McDonagh fires just wide for Chatham Town.

3:19pm

Now, before the first goal, I was trying to say:

Interesting to note Aveley boss Justin Gardner is standing on the opposite side of the pitch. No one's entirely sure why, but it could be something to do with him being sent to the stand in Aveley's last home game here.

He's a little less conspicuous out there, but carves a lonely figure.

3:17pm

Hayles prods home for the visitors following a bit of a scramble in the six-yard box!

Chatham back in it after a sustained spell of pressure.

3:14pm

Apologies, my internet connection is horrendous today!

But Aveley lead 2-0!

The first goal came from a Dadson cross, with the ball deflecting off of Newman and spinning over the top of Roberto in the visitors goal.

Then two minutes later, Junior Dadson broke free, had his first shot from 17 yards saved by Roberto, but it fell kindly to the Millers' striker and he smashed in the rebound.

But...

2:58pm

Here are today's teams:

Aveley:

Foster; Sands, Nesbitt, Leader, Thomas; Hopkins, Kamara, Holland; Appiah, Dadson; Cox

Subs: Sanuga, Stephenson, Cavalier, Cole, Sellears

Chatham Town:

Roberto; Laker, Hickey, Solly, Newman; Metitiri, McDonagh, Lawrence, Tilley; Gacheru, Hayles

Subs: Jeffery, Smith, Potter, Watson

2:51pm

Good afternoon and welcome to the Thurrock Gazette's live commentary.

We're at Aveley today. Millers, under Justin Gardner are flying high in the Ryman Division One North!

They face Chatham today, who, in recent weeks haven't fared to well against Thurrock opposition. Two weeks ago, they were beaten 4-1 at home to Grays Athletic and a week later, they suffered a 5-1 defeat to Tilbury. Can they make it third time lucky against Millers today?