Aveley 2-1 Thurrock

From Mill Field

Essex Senior Cup semi-final

 

AVELEY edged past their fierce rivals Thurrock to book their place in the last four of the Essex Senior Cup.

The Millers triumphed 2-1 at Mill Field thanks to goals from Pet Elbi, his second in three days, and Marcus Elliott. Thurrock's equaliser from Robbie Farrell was not enough for Mark Stimson's men.

Aveley were undone by two injury time goals to lose 4-3 at Heybridge Swifts on Saturday but they showed no such nerve tonight, starting the match well.

The first chance of the night dropped to Kweku Ansah but the Fleet man couldn't beat the agile James Marrable in the home goal.

Andy Walker also had to be on his toes, tipping over from the exciting Elbi when he let fly from 25 yards.

But with 30 minutes on the clock the midfielder did get himself on the scoresheet. Neat work by Matty Bakare allowed Elbi the simplest tap in from close range.

John Osonowo and Ansah were denied by Marrable before the break and the away side stepped up after the break.

Mark Stimson's men saw a goal disallowed and got their reward after the hour mark. Bakare lost the ball to Farrell and he beat Spencer Harrison to drill home.

However, Thurrock were level for only three minutes. The lively Theo Ola sent in a cross for Elliott and he powered home a header.

Elbi headed wide and, despite some late pressure, Fleet couldn't equalise and Aveley marched on into the semi-finals in search for their first Essex Senior Cup title.

Aveley: Marrable, Bakaer, Preston, Baker, Harrison, Deen, Knott, Holland, Elbi, Elliott, Ola Thurrock: Walker, Waters, Osonowo, Gilman, Clark, Darko, Sutton, Ansah, Thompson, Wall, Farrell