Aveley 3-2 Cray Wanderers
Ryman One North
AVELEY won a thrilling encounter against relegation battlers Cray Wanderers as they survived a comeback to record a 3-2 win.
Goals from Shamido Pedulu, the returning Alex Stavrinou and a late strike from Petrit Elbi ensured Justin Gardner’s side took the points.
The home side started well, with Elbi looking lively on the attack but it was Cray who had the first real chance, when Moses Ashikodi saw an effort ruled out after his effort beat James Marrable.
Elbi linked up with Jack Stevenson, with the latter’s effort clearing the crossbar before Pedulu saw an effort kept out.
Up the other end of the pitch, Adrian Stone won a header from a cross but his low header hit the post and went wide.
Pedulu was next to see an effort ruled out but they did break the deadlock before half-time when Ahmed Deen linked with Stavrinou for Pedulu to crash home the loose ball.
The Millers moved into a two goal lead after the break, when neat interplay hit the hand of Steve Springett with the referee pointing to the spot.
And Stavrinou picked up the ball and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to double the Millers lead.
Cray got back into the game with a superb two minute spell. First of all, Stone got in to beat Marrable after the Millers defence failed to clear their lines.
And 60 seconds later the visitors leveled the match when Ashikodi raced in to chip Marrable to score.
Keen to respond, Junior Baker was denied by Dean Gardikiotis in the Cray goal but, up the other end, it as almost the away side who took the lead when Warren Whitely shot wide when well placed.
Marrable was again called into action before Elbi was denied by the Cray stopper.
Elbi was again denied, this time by the linesman flag, before he did make his mark when he volleyed brilliantly in to send the Aveley faithful into raptures.
Aveley: Marrable, Bakare (Knott), Preston, Baker, Essuman, Deen, Ola, Stavrinou, Elbi, Stevenson (Francis), Pedulu (Elliott)
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