Hawks edge Millers in close encounter

With Aveley's good football that they have played all season the Millers would have been excited to get the chance to play on the best pitch in the league due to the 3G surface.

Goals-

Harlow 0-1 AVELEY - Theo Ola- 6
HARLOW 1-1 Aveley- Junior Dadson (Penalty) - 23
HARLOW 2-1 Aveley- Fabian Simms- 62
HARLOW 3-1 Aveley- JuniorDadson- 90+5

The Millers started brilliantly and should've been infront within 20 seconds. Straight from kick of Aveley won the ball and played intricate passes which set Jack Stevenson through on goal but under pressure his shot was straight at Walker in the Harlow goal.

Harlow came back strong and had their first 50/50 chance of the match. Junior Dadson good work down the left, he fizzed in a dangerous ball into the six yard box but Ahmed Deen was there to clear the ball away from danger.

On six minutes the Millers took the lead. Brian Okwera did well to play the ball out wide to Theo Ola, his pace was a problem as he drifted past Craig Pope, Ola put the ball into the box and it was diverted into the back of the net. Harlow 0-1 Aveley FC.

Harlow attacked but the ball wouldn't land for them as Urquhart headed over from the free kick. James Marrable goal kick was flicked on by Petrit Elbi, Danny Francis tried a shot from an audacious angle but it just fizzed wide of the goal.

Throughout the game David Cowley was superb and from his superb cross, somehow the hosts didnt equalise. He won the ball and smashed it across the six yard box and somehow no one got on the end of the cross.

Fabion Simms then attacked but was taken down by Billy Holland and was awarded a yellow card. From Cowley's free kick into the box, a Harlow Town player seemed to just go to the floor under the slightest of touches and the referee gave a penalty. Seemed a strange decision as no one in a red shirt appealed for the penalty, whoever Dadson stepped up and just managed to beat James Marrable into the bottom corner. Harlow Town 1-1 Aveley FC.

The sour note of the game came as Millers right back Paul Preston landed awkwardly under a tackle and was down on floor and has now found out after scan that he will be out for the rest of the season after damaging all ligaments in his shoulder and has popped his shoulder bone out. Danny Hopkins came on to replace him.

The Millers then looked to have gone in front a minute before the break. Again Theo Ola shot come cross was this time flicked in by Billy Holland at the back post, he looked to be onside, but difficult to tell from the angle, but Holland was given offside.

Half Time- Harlow Town 1-1 Aveley FC.

The Millers came out the strongest in the second half and Jack Stevenson was put through and his chip just went wide of the left hand post with the keeper left hapless.

Aveley should've then had themselves a penalty. Theo Ola was fouled inside the box by Pope, but a free kick was awarded instead, it seemed it just wasn't going to be the Millers afternoon.

Against the run of play Harlow took the lead for the first time of the game. From a Cowley corner, it came out in the air to Simms who headed over five bodies into the roof of the net. Harlow 2-1 Aveley.

Millers poured forward but time and time again the final ball just wasn't there. New signing Robbie Farrell looked sharp with his early pressure and good movement from when he came on to replace Danny Francis.

Good movement from Danny Hopkins down the right wing provided great width. Billy Holland Jack Stevenson both again came close but it just wouldn't fall for the Millers.

Time was running out quickly for the Millers. Another new addition Lamar Reynolds came on for Brian Okwera to give Aveley more options up top.

As the Millers poured forward and the ball was turned over the hosts countered. Cowley p,ayes a great ball forward to Junior Dadson who sprinted clear and cooly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to wrap up a hard fought victory for the Hawks.

Full Time- Harlow Town 3-1 Aveley FC.

Millers XI- Marrable, Preston (Hopkins), Deen, Baker, Harrison, Okwera (Reynolds), Ola, Holland (C), Elbi, Stevenson, Francis (Farrell)

Unused Subs- Stanley, Rowland (GK).