Second half sends Millers home empty handed

On the clubs longest ever journey in our history, we are un-done by a poor second half performance.

What made the journey all the more frustrating was the ease and control we had over the first half, especially the first ten minutes, where we could have found ourselves three or four nil ahead of Willand.

Early cross by Danny Francis went just wide of the post for the Millers. Billy Coyne then launched a throw into the box which was headed just away by Hill and away for a corner to the Millers. Coyne whipped the ball in, which Spencer Harrison just got a touch on it, but again was cleared superbly by Hill for another corner. Teddy Nesbitt then put the ball into the box, but this time the referee blew his whistle and gave Willand a free kick.

Willand then countered and had their first shot on target by Bath, but his shot was right into the arms of James Marrable, whom made it look comfortable and routine.

Aveley attacked again down the right hand side, Dannt Francis turned Stamp in and out and crossed the ball into the face of the defender, but the referee pointed to the penalty spot and gave the left back a yellow card. Petrit Elbi stepped up to take it, but fired his penalty past the right hand post. Willand 0-0 Aveley.

Wadham flew in with a horrific scissor tackle on Petrit Elbi, which could have damaged him a lot on another occasion, the referee could have sent of the Willand player, but decided it only merited a yellow card, much to the frustration of the Aveley contingent.

Willand managed to break in behind, and if it wasn't for a last ditch Billy Coyne tackle, the Millers would have found themselves one- down against the run of play.

Danny Francis then takes a whack from the advertisement board for no reason, Willands left midfielder pushes Francis against the board, and deservedly is given a yellow card.

A free kick was awarded to Aveley about 25yards from goal, Billy Coyne lined it up. He striked it, it hit the wall, looped in the air, over the goalkeeper, hit the inside of the post and went into the back of the Willand net. The Millers were infront with three minutes left before half time, the perfect timing for Millers. Willand 0-1 Aveley.

Half Time- Willand 0-1 Aveley.

The second half was a different affair, Willand were relentless as they forced attack after attack playing towards the clubhouse.

The Millers did have the chances to clinch it, Billy Coyne corner, headed almost in by Spencer Harrison, but unfortunately was cleared off the line by the Willand defenders.

Willand got back level through their number nine, Bath, a scrappy goal from an Aveley point of view, ball looked to be saved by James Marrable, the Avely defenders didn't clear the ball when they had a chance, and Bath was their to turn the ball home to equalise in front of 250 Willand supporters. Willand 1-1 Aveley.

Lee Weemes does well to get away from his markers, but his shot is well saved by the Willand keeper, who then launched the ball forward, over the Aveley back line to Ingram who played the ball across the goal to Bath again, to tap it in to send Rovers into dreamland. Willand 2-1 Aveley.

Aveley didn't learn from that and again came Willand down our right hand side, Bath turned provider as he pulled the ball across to Ingram who hooked ball past Marrable to all but send them into the next round. Willand 3-1 Aveley.

The Millers came back strongly, but didn't take 50/50 chances that were created.

A goal however was pulled back by Alex Stavrinou, who tapped in a goal from a few yards out after a huge goalkeeping error, provided Alex with a guilt edge chance, that really no one could miss.

That goal came too little, too late, and Aveley bow out of the FA Cup.

Full Time- Willand 3-2 Aveley FC.