Elbi double sinks Fleet at Ship Lane

Thurrock 0-1 AVELEY FC - 8 Minutes - Petrit Elbi
Thurrock 0-2 AVELEY FC - 51 Minutes- Petrit Elbi

Aveley started the game the strongest and what was on quite a good service created more clear cut chances and really should've scored more then the two they did.

Marcus Elliott was the first to have a sight on goal as he got through the Thurrock back line, but a good save from Ex Miller Rhys Madden denied an early advantage for the visitors. Two corners came in quick succession but both were cleared away well by Osonowo.

Only a few minutes later the Millers came again but Ola's cross was blocked and Aveley forced a corner. The ball was whipped in by Jack Stevenson into the back post area, it bounced around near Marcus Elliott but from four yards out Petrit Elbi was at hand to turn the ball smartly past Madden to give the Millers the lead. Thurrock 0-1 Aveley FC

The Millers excelled again, as lovely two touch passing between Alex Stavrinou and Jack Stevenson put in Theo Ola and his right footed shot, was just saved by Madden and it flicked the post to safety.

Thurrock had their first chance of the game as Reynolds again forced the Aveley defence back as he won a corner as George Essuman headed behind. The corner was whipped into the middle by Lewwis Spence but it was well defended and cleared away this time by Ahmed Deen.

The game wasn't short of big tackles as Theo Ola was on the receiving end of one, as Sutton went flying in two footed but the referee was quick on the scene to calm everything down and no booking was given.

Thurrock started to grow into the game the more the first half went on, and Ross Wall was at the heart of everything good they created. James Marrable was called into action as he finger tipped a Wall shot wide of the goal. Only minutes later Ross Wall again tried his luck, this time from 20 yards out but fizzed over the bar.

James Marrable again denied Thurrock, Christou seemed to have beaten the offside trap as the cross came in, he forced a double save from James Marrable, but Christou was eventually flagged offside anyway.

Marcus Elliott again was denied by Madden, then moments later another Millers chance dragged wide from the edge of the area by Ahmed Deen.

The biggest chance Thurrock really had of the whole game came in the last minute of the first half as James Marrable and Mathias Bakare allowed a glimmer of hope for Thompson but he wasn't able to get there before the ball was scrambled away to safety.

Half Time- Thurrock 0-1 Aveley FC

Millers again started the brightest as they won the first ball and then swallowed up the second balls in every department on the pitch.

Jack Stevenson tried an audacious effort from 30 yards out from a free kick after Petrit Elbi was fouled but the goalkeeper made the save look comfortable.

With the Millers next attack they doubled their lead. Petrit Elbi again the goal scorer, good work by Alex Stavrinou he played the ball to Elbi who danced past Thurrock's defence and finished superbly into the bottom corne from the edge of the area. Thurrock 0-2 Aveley FC

Marcus Elliott then was taken off as he collided with Waters in which Marcus had to go to Accident and Emergency in the local hospital and has a fractured cheek bone. He was replaced by Luke Stanley for his first appearance for the Millers.

The Millers could've scored another through Petrit Elbi as Jack Stevenson played him through but under pressure he steered his shot wide of the goal.

Theo Ola then burst into life as he raced through and as he went round the goalkeeper he was taken down and a penalty was awarded. Petrit Elbi, on a hat trick picked the ball up but his penalty was poor and easily saved by Rhys Madden to keep the scoreline down.

Daniel Francis then came on for Theo Ola.

Thurrock had their first real chance of the second half as Sutton crossed the ball into the back post and Thompson sneaked in at the back but his header was wide of the target.

The Aveley back line were superb all game both Junior Baker and fellow centre half George Essuman both cleared everything they had thrown at them.

Ross Wall had one last headed attempt but his header again just went past the post.

Millers get their win away at the local side up the road and continue their march towards the playoff spaces. The Millers still a long way off but host Brentwood Town who are in the playoff spaces on Valentine's Day this Saturday.

Full Time- Thurrock 0-2 Aveley FC