Aveley go back to the top (From Thurrock Gazette)

Aveley go back to the top

6:35pm Saturday 20th December 2008

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Cheshunt 2, Aveley 3
AFTER a couple of weeks off, Aveley got back into action and returned to the top of the Ryman Division One North with this victory, with the winning goal coming from new signing Joe Sweeney.

Sweeney, who played for Brentwood as recently as last Tuesday against East Thurrock, scored on his debut to give Millers a vital three points in this tough encounter at Theobalds Lane.

It was an unpredictable encounter throughout. Twice the home side came back to equalise, before an outstanding double save from James Marrable kept the Millers in the game and Sweeny popped up with his winner.

Millers were forced into a reshuffle at the back with John Maskell ill and Sean Francis still out injured.

The hosts did not get off to the best of starts as normal keeper Chris Goodchild was injured in the warm up and substitute and former Miller Ashley Harris deputised.

Things did not get much better as they were forced into an early change with Clark Akers suffering an early knock, being replaced by Ashley Taylor-Forbes, who had an eventful game to say the least.

The first real chance for either side resulted in the opening goal, and that fell to the Millers.

Joao Carlos was to menace Ambers’ defence all afternoon game and he was felled in the box by Michael Pelley and referee Forrester pointed to the spot. Wayne Vaughan stepped up and sent Harris, the wrong way and his shot just managed to creep in off the underside of the bar.

Cheshunt responded almost immediately and in spectacular fashion. Christian Wheeler conceded a free kick with a late tackle, and the Millers were punished after only managing to half clearing to Reece Prestedge who struck the ball on the volley past Marrable.

Aveley were intent on restoring their lead and had Petrit Elbi fired his header anywhere else than at Harris, then it would have been restored.

But on their next attack the lead was re-established. Elbi came in from the left and his shot managed to find a way over despairing dive of Harris.

But almost straight after the break, a lapse in concentration from the Millers backline allowed Cheshunt to level the scores once again. Former Grays’ striker Mervin Abraham crossed in from the left to find new signing Daniel O’Connor unmarked at the back post to head home.

Buoyed by their leveller, the home side responded and the Millers could have easily fallen behind if not for James Marrable’s fine double save.

Ambers’ top scorer Yohance Lewis struck goal wards but his shot took a wicked deflection and with Marrable already down to his left for the original effort, the stopper managed to get a hand to it, before it fell to Taylor-Forbes to strike home but Marrable again denied Cheshunt.

This was the kick start Aveley needed and they responded with a series of chances. Matt Johnson’s free kick was headed on by Ryan Doyle but Harris was equal to the effort flicking it over his bar.

The Millers continued to push for the winner, and Carlos was twice denied. Junior Dadson’s cross from the right fell to Carlos at the back post but he only managed to direct his effort straight at Harris. And a minute later he paced away from the static Ambers’ defence to go one-on-one with the keeper and when he shot past Harris everyone thought it was bound to nestle into the back of the net but it hit the post.

But the Millers did not have to wait much longer to find the winning goal.

Carlos again proved key as his low ball into the box was missed by Harris and substitute Sweeney was on hand to slot in from close range to cap his first game for the Millers with a goal.

Signed from Brentwood the league’s fifth top goal scorer could prove to be a vital acquisition for Rod Stringer’s side if they are to continue their assault on top spot.

And there was still time for more action as Taylor-Forbes received his marching orders for a second bookable offence after a late tackle on Sam Holloway.

Cheshunt had late claims for a penalty turned down when O’Connor seemed to be fouled in the area, but perhaps the striker was too honest as he stayed on his feet and if he had gone down the outcome may have been different.

James Marrable, Christian Wheeler, Sam Holloway, Garry Skerritt, Ryan Doyle, Glen Golby, Junior Dadson, Mather Johnson, Petrit Elbi (Sean Thomas 85), Wayne Vaughan (Joe Sweeney 71), Joao Carlos. Unused subs: Paul White, Nicky Wettner, Marc Palmer.

Ryman One North, up to and inc Sat, Dec 20

		P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
1	Aveley	21	14	6	1	46	20	+26	48
2	Waltham Abbey	21	14	4	3	52	20	+32	46
3	Brentwood Town	21	13	5	3	40	19	+21	44
4	East Thurrock United	21	14	2	5	44	27	+17	44
5	Ware	22	14	2	6	45	31	+14	44
6	Concord Rangers	22	11	5	6	40	19	+21	38
7	Northwood	22	11	5	6	33	24	+9	38
8	Wingate & Finchley	18	9	7	2	33	17	+16	34
9	Redbridge	20	9	6	5	38	21	+17	33
10	Tilbury	23	9	5	9	37	32	+5	32
11	Cheshunt	19	9	2	8	27	25	+2	29
12	Great Wakering Rovers	23	8	5	10	32	38	-6	29
13	Leyton	22	8	4	10	33	30	+3	28
14	Potters Bar Town (-1)	22	7	6	9	29	29	0	26
15	Enfield Town	19	7	4	8	41	40	+1	25
16	Maldon Town (-3)	20	8	3	9	25	31	-6	24
17	Thamesmead Town	22	6	6	10	27	39	-12	24
18	Chatham Town	21	5	2	14	21	39	-18	17
19	Ilford	21	4	1	16	11	47	-36	13
20	Waltham Forest	22	3	3	16	19	49	-30	12
21	Witham Town	18	3	2	13	20	52	-32	11
22	Hillingdon Borough	22	2	1	19	16	60	-44	7

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