Ryman Div One North Semi-Final Play-Off
Maldon and Tiptree 3 v 1 Aveley
THE ILL-DISCIPLINE that has marked out Aveley all season cost them dear as a ten man Millers were beaten 2-1 in the semi-final play off of Ryman Division One North.
In bright spring evening sunshine, Aveley started brightly on what was a perfect surface.
Aveley were playing Jordan Cox on his own up front as the Maldon back four lay quite deep and it was that pressure that forced the first corner in the 10th minute.
A minute later, Cox blasted over from close range but it signalled the danger that the loan player caused.
But it was Maldon who had the first gilt edged chance when Robinson beat the offside trap but Aveley keeper, Giddens did well to smother the ball away.
Aveley have an underwhelming discipline record and so it was no surprise when a terrible foul saw the first yellow card go to Aveley.
Another threatening run by Cox saw another shot blasted in what was soon turning out to be an entertaining game.
The tackles were flying in and you could sense it was going to be a passionate affair.
James Robinson looked very dangerous as well as Lee Boylan who had one chalked off for offside but they both had the measure of the Miller’s defence.
The second yellow card for Aveley came from a crass challenge by Bradley Thomas on the edge of the box. Cawley sent over the free kick but Jordan Cox headed it away.
But it was Maldon who opened the scoring when again Robinson got to the dead ball line crossed over and Lee Boylan bundled the ball in from close range.
Maldon poured the pressure on and Aveley had to keep it to the single goal at half time.
However, their fate was sealed when Junior Appiah was sent off for a second yellow card.
As the second half began, Aveley needed to come and impose themselves on the game and give Jordan Cox more support.
And Aveley did come alive. In the 53rd minute, they had a fair shout for a penalty when was downed in the box. The referee dismissed their claims. A free kick a minute later came to nothing but it signalled a new phase of the game.
In the 54th minute, Albanian Petrit Elbi was found in space on the left hand side, picked his spot and blasted it past the Maldon keeper.
This was a cracking play-off match. Sheldon Sellears ran the length of the pitch in a solo run that saw his shot fended away for a corner.
The Millermen were on their toes.
Maldon nearly fluked a lead in the 65th minute when a cross by the full back looked like it was drifting out but Robinson got to it and the ball bounced along the dead ball line.
But from nowhere, Maldon regained the lead as a free kick that drifted in was deflected in off an Aveley leg.
Aveley made the brave decision to take off Jordan Cox and they started to take some risks. Junior Dadson came on as they decided to throw the sink at Maldon.
But for all their effort, Maldon took control of the last ten minutes as the extra man proved an advantage.
In the 85th minute, Elbit again went close with a flicked header.
There was a liberal sprinkling of yellow cards after an ugly goalmouth melee.
Aveley produced one more attack with a corner but it ended badly as the Millers keeper had come up. Maldon threw the ball out and Lee Boylan was able to pick his spot and place the ball into an empty net.
The result should not deflect from a fine fine season by Aveley who passed many people’s expectations. They will no doubt come back stronger next season.
Aveley: Giddens, Sellears, Blake, Leader, Thomas, Hopkins, Stevenson, Holland (c), Cox, Elbi, Appiah
Subs: Nesbitt, Rose, Read, Burnett, Dadson
Maldon and Tiptree: Wright, Everett, Cawley, Berquez, Golby (c), Johnson, Robinson, Dark, Ellue, Boylan, Gardner
