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Waltham Forest 0, Aveley 0

AVELEY, who played out the last 30 minutes with ten men, emerged from an exciting, if goalless, Ryman Division One North clash at Waltham Forest with a point thanks to Adam Rafis's penalty save.

The visitors, who have only ever won once at the home of the Stags and never in league competition, played full part in an enjoyable match, though they were often tormented by the home side's Miles Jones, a Barbadian international winger who has previously been with Aldershot and Woking.

He was instrumental in much of the enterprising play from Forest, though Millers had plenty of moments of their own.

The first came just seven minutes into the match when John Masekell and Leli Bajada combined well to set up Bradley Barnes but his skiddy shot went wide.

Forest responded well and in quick succession Laide Adeyemi, Jones and Adeyemi went close.

With plenty of action at either end keepers Rafis and Rhys Madden were kept on their toes, though Madden has cause to be grateful to defender Nathan Fletcher for clearing Ryan Doyle's 25th minute header off the line.

Chances continued to come at either end as the high tempo continued but neither side could break the deadlock before half time.

Forest made the brighter start to the second half and Jones forced Rafis to save at the second attempt, before his pace created another opportunity for Adeyemi who shot wide.

The odds were turned in Forest's favour on 59 minutes when Christian Wheeler, who had been booked for a first half foul, got his marching orders for kicking the ball away to earn a second caution.

Millers boss Rod Stringer sacrificed attacking intent when he took off Tom Poole to strengthen the depleted midfield with Ben Bradbury, though almost immediately the substitute was involved in a move that brought a good save from Madden.

The troublesome Jones looked to have earned his side the golden opportunity when he was brought down by Nicky Wettner for a 71st minute penalty.

Somewhat controversially, the referee allowed Millers to make a substitution before the kick was taken and though Wayne Vaughan was already stripped for action, it took a while for him to come on and the delay may well have caused problems for penalty taker Manny Sackey, whose spot-kick was eventually well-saved by Rafis who dived to his left.

There's nothing in the rulebook to say the timing of the substitution was incorrect but Forest were clearly incensed by what they thought was gamesmanship.

The missed penalty knocked Forest out of their stride and in the closing stages it was the ten men Millers, with Sean Francis making his debut when replacing Shaz Ahmed, who created the better chances in the closing stages.

Vaughan twice went close and Bradbury fired wide when well-placed but in the end the draw was acclaimed by most as a fair result.

Aveley: Adam Rafis, Gary Skerritt, John Maskell, Ryan Doyle, Glen Golby, Nicky Wettner, Shaz Ahmed (Sean Francis 72), Christian Wheeler, Tom Poole (Ben Bradbury), Leli Bajada (Wayne Vaughan), Bradley Barnes. Subs not used: Kye Ruel, Sam Holloway.

Ryman Division One North, up to and inc Jan 19

8:24pm Saturday 19th January 2008

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