National League South
Aveley 2 v 0 Weston Super Mare
A RESHAPED Aveley side showed resolution, courage and adaptability to produce another impressive result at Parkside this afternoon (Saturday, 4 November).
Despite losing Kieran Thomas to injury after just five minutes Weston made a strong start and Aveley were grateful to see a defensive block from Jalen Jones that denied Luke Pearce as the ball came back off the woodwork.
Millers had strong claims for a penalty waved away just after the half hour when Alex Hernandez appeared to be fouled but in the confusion that followed, the referee awarded a goal-kick – even though the ball didn’t appear to go out of play.
At the other end great defending from Jason Ring denied Dayle Grubb.
However, the deadline was broken five minutes before the break when a ball forward was flicked on by Jones and new recruit Sydney Ilbie, signed on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge, found the net.
Millers took the lead into the break and improved their overall performance in the second half, though they had keeper Jonathan North to thank for a fine save from Jacob Crane.
That was part of an early storm from the visitors but Aveley exerted their dominance and were quickly rewarded when Siju Odelusi set up Eduino Vaz and he produced a fine strike to find the net on 53 minutes.
Ring again proved his defensive worth with a goalline clearance but Millers were generally the dominant force as the clock ticked down.
They gave a debut off the bench to another new signing, Ikechi Eze and in the end proved good value for the win that is their ninth of the season and keeps them in a hugely impressive second place.
After the match Millers manager Danny Scopes said: “We didn’t quite get our shape right in the first half but we adjusted and were better in the second half.
“We’ve had to move players into our squad, we are going through a bit of transition but we did a good job to see the game out.”
Scopes also reflected on his new signings, saying: ” Eze gives a bit of cover, he worked really worked hard when he came on, his experience will help us” and of goalscorer Ilbie he said: “He’s not had great game time at Dagenham, but he is a good player and a good character.”
