London Colney no push-over for Aveley (From Thurrock Gazette)

Millers forced to scrap in FA Cup clash

9:09am Monday 14th September 2009 in News

London Colney 1, Aveley 1 The Millers’ first qualifying round visit to a side playing at three levels below the Ryman Premier outfit had expected to be something of a formality.

But the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Division One hosts made Aveley fight all the way before earning a replay.

This will be staged at Aveley on Wednesday night but the Millers were only given a second bite of the cherry courtesy of Nicky Symons’ scrambled 77th-minute effort.

In an uneventful first-half Aveley failed to find a way through the home defence in which keeper Alistair Hill was outstanding.

Sherwin Stanley and Ryan Doyle went close for the visitors after the interval and Hill saved well from Junior Dadson.

Colney too a shock 62nd-minute lead through David Parkinson, but Symons came to the Millers rescue and they could have won if either Martin Tuohy or substitute Piers Wixon had managed to get on the end of a teasing Stanley cross late on.