On a boiling hot, stuffy day at Mill Field, Aveley and East Thurrock played out a great spectacle. It started off fast paced, with both teams putting in good tackles. The first chance arrived as Billy Coyne ran down the right hand side, and put a good cross in, however it bobbled and bounced past both Danny Francis and Marcus Elliott up top for the Millers.

Both teams started with the same formation of a 3-5-2 which led to both teams having patient build up.

Sendal for Aveley tried out his long throw; however it was finally kicked away by East Thurrock’s defence. Again Aveley looked very dangerous from long throw ins which they will use to cause problems in the opposition box with both Sendal and Billy Coyne both having great long throws and their disposal.

Both Danny Francis and Marcus Elliott ran their socks off, as they pressured the backline East Thurrock, they forced them to kick the ball out for another opportunity to use that venomous long throw-in. Billy Coyne took the long throw but, after there was pushing and shoving the referee gave the free-kick to East Thurrock.

The next passage of play came from a corner to Aveley, it was taken by Sammy Knott, which landed to new signing Joe Bricknall, but a high-foot smacked Joe in the chest, but what looked a certain penalty was not given, the ball however, found its way harmlessly behind the goal for a goal-kick.

Eye-catching passing play build-up by Aveley yet again, between the two strikers and Sammy Knott however the cross was just over hit. East Thurrock United then attacked, their number 11 looked offside, whilst the Millers defence stopped playing as they waited for the whistle to sound but, East Thurrock continued their attack; however the shot in the end is put aimlessly wide.

With 17th minute’s gone East Thurrock were definitely the side on top, but Aveley did look dangerous on the counter with the pace of their attackers and the amount of space that Billy Coyne and Sammy Knott were allowed down the wings. The Millers were just about to take control of the game with great closing down and good passing between the midfield three of Aveley. However, on the 21st minute, East Thurrock worked the ball down the right hand side, which led to great work by their number 11, it was played across the penalty spot and Jacob Cleaver was there to tap it in, there was nothing that James Marrable could do to prevent it. Aveley 0-1 East Thurrock United.

Back came Aveley straight away, it only took four minutes for Aveley to get themselves back level. It was a good pass from Bricknall, as he sprayed it to Billy Coyne on the right, Coyne put a pin-point cross onto Marcus Elliot’s head, it was great movement to make himself free of the East Thurrock defence and a class ball in. Aveley 1-1 East Thurrock.
After a quick drink’s break, Aveley attacked once more down the right hand side. Billy Coyne is set free by Billy Holland. Billy Coyne then whipped the ball in for Marcus Elliot again and Elliot heads the ball across the goal keeper into the bottom corner of the goal. Aveley 2-1 East Thurrock.

Daniel Hopkins then lost the ball in the middle to East Thurrock’s 11, but he carried on, shot but it was well defended by Harrison Spencor. A few minutes later, another great run by Sammy Knott who mixed passes with Danny Francis, the ball then landed back to Sammy Knott but he just couldn’t connect with the ball on the volley and it was well defended eventually by the East Thurrock United defence.

Half Time

After ten minutes of Aveley on the front foot, another attack by Aveley came. This time it came from the right hand side by Danny Francis as he glided past East Thurrock’s left back, only the goal keeper and Lee Weemes in the vicinity after Lee lost his marker, Danny then played the ball across to Weemes and he tapped it into the empty net. Aveley 3-1 East Thurrock United.

Another attack for Aveley again from Danny Francis as he beat the East Thurrock left back, played it into Lee Weemes this time with his back to goal, he managed to wriggle away from his marker lays it off to Hopkins, who then passed it to Kanu who fires it, but East Thurrock’s defender blocks it well and it went out for a corner, but the corner led to nothing.

After the third went in for Aveley, the game got even more open, despite the humidity getting worse as the time went on, after one attack and another counter, gaps were beginning to open up, as East Thurrock continued to try and find a way back into the game. But Aveley countered well which led to the ball going behind for a corner. The corner caused havoc within the box, it landed to the left foot of Aziz Kanu, he hit it well and the ball looked destined for the bottom corner, but as it was about to hit the back of the net, Elbi was there and poached the ball into the back of the net. Aveley 4-1 East Thurrock.

After that goal by Elbi the game then settled down, which led to a change in goal for Aveley as Ash Harris came in goal for James Marrable. East Thurrock’s number 4 made a great double tackle in the middle of the pitch played in their forward man and he hit it with great power, it looked destined to go into the back of the net, but Ash prevented it with a superb save.

After a corner for East Thurrock is put behind for a goal kick the final whistle goes and Aveley grab a fantastic 4-1 win against Ryman Premier Division East Thurrock United.

Man Of The Match: Billy Coyne.

Starting X11: Marrable, Coyne, Knott, Baker, Spencor, Sendal, Hopkins, Holland (C), Bricknall, Francis, Elliott.