Defiant Dockers beat Stuttering Millers

This game proved to be one too many for a depleted Aveley squad who were missing at least Six first team players, due to injuries, work commitments and suspensions, as the Dockers found that winning touch at Mill Field.

The Millers started the strongest ball in behind by Jack Stevenson was to Kyle Asante, Jack Giddens was out poorly and missed ball, but Asante rushed his shot on his weaker left foot. Good work from Theo Ola on the left hand side as he created his own chance but his left footed shot just went wide of the post.

The Dockers came into the game as they forced the first corner of the game after good work by Tony Martin down the left hand side. The corner was cleared just about by Paul Preston and Theo Ola. But Tilbury came again and almost opened the scoring, a near post header, headed towards the far post was cut out well by the diving James Marrable.

The opening twenty was a tight but end to end affair with both sides having chances. Millers were the next to have a chance, again it was Jack Stevenson with a superb ball through this time to Steve Carvell but Jimmy Cook closed down well to deny Carvell to get a shot off at goal.

Tilbury again had a guilt edge chance from a corner as Elliott Johnson was allowed to have a free header, but his header went over the bar. Millers took a quick goal kick and Theo Ola sprung clear of the Tilbury defence but was denied by a save from ex Miller Jack Giddens.

Tilbury then did take the lead as a ball from Emiel Aiken eluded Spencer Harrison as he missed he ball, it went through him and put Tony Martin through on goal and he chipped James Marrable to perfection from the edge of the area. Aveley FC 0-1 Tilbury FC.

Millers were denied a certain goal as they tried to respond straight away. A surging run by Mathias Bakare ended in him playing a superb ball into Kyle Asante whose shot was denied to go towards goal as Bradley Webb defended superbly.

Harry Cook caused problems throughout the game and he got in behind twice in quick succession as Millers failed to retain the ball further up the pitch. But this time a poor touch from him denied one chance and the other was well defended by Paul Preston and Junior Baker.

Tilbury did then double their lead, not sure who scored it, "number 18" kit scored it, but because that number wasn't on team sheet I'm not sure who converted the chance. It was a shot at Marrable's near post, but it squeezed through James and into the back of the net. Aveley FC 0-2 Tilbury FC.

Half Time - Aveley FC 0-2 Tilbury FC.

The second half was a different encounter from the first half, the match turned into a really drab one with very few chances as Tilbury set up shop to hold on to their 2-0 lead.

Ahmed Deen free kick reached Spencer Harrison who couldn't turn the header towards goal. Theo Ola then attacked but was take down by Jimmy Cook. Paul Preston made a good run from left back but his shot was high and wide of the target.

Good piece of goalkeeping then denied the Millers as ball over the top towards Kyle Asante was put in, but Giddens was out first to deny Asante a shot in on goal.

Millers then made a change as the returning Petrit Elbi replaced Kyle Asante, Elbi coming back from his operation in November, a huge plus to the Millers play off push.

Petrit Elbi was straight into the action as he went on a mazy run past three Tilbury players, his final ball landed to Steve Carvell but he was caught by the offside flag.

Elbi really, could've scored two good chance but both put over. The first was a ball over the defence by Bakare, it landed to Elbi but his shot went over the bar, he was taken out after the ball left his foot, maybe a penalty, but surprising no one really appealed for it. His second chance came as Jack Stevenson put a cross into the back post, Junior Baker won the header down to Petrit Elbi but his shot went over the bar.

Millers then had a free kick over the far side, Stevenson took it, his ball caused havoc in the area, shouts for everything, it landed to Ahmed Deen but his shot went wide of the goal.

Theo Ola and Steve Carvell were taken off and on came Elias Armah-Tackie coming back from his loan at Ilford FC and Charlie Gregory.

Elias Armah-Tackie used his pace and won the Millers a corner. Stevenson took it, Charlie Gregory won the header but it was hoofed away off the line from Tilbury. Tilbury then countered and had a three on two, but a poor pass ended their chance to well and truly kill the game off.

Full Time - Aveley FC 0-2 Tilbury FC.