Great Wakering Rovers 2–2 Aveley

From Burroughs Park

Ryman North

 

A BATTLING Aveley comeback denied Great Wakering Rovers the points in an attritional match at Burroughs Park.

The game will be remembered for Billy Radley’s superb bicycle kick but it was a tremendous match, which ebbed and flowed throughout.

And, after dominating the early exchanges, Aveley created the first real opening after a Rovers lapse in concentration.

Skipper Nick Skelton slipped allowing Tyler Devlin in but, instead of advancing on the goal, his attempted lob cleared Adam Seal but also the crossbar.

Rovers were growing in confidence and several set-pieces troubled James Marrable before the hosts went ahead.

A deep cross went beyond Teddy Nesbitt to Billy Radley and his header from an acute angle bounced off the crossbar leaving Eljay Worrell the easiest of tap-ins.

And it was 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when Radley adjusted his body and sent a superb bicycle kick inside the near post, with Marrable unable to stop the ball going in.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Seal called into action after Pet Elbi’s fierce shot while Devlin shot over soon after.

The Millers got the goal they deserved with 10 minutes of the second half played. Marcus Elliot scored it after Justin Gardner’s side had won the first and second headers from a set-piece.

And it was the same man that brought the visitors level with 20 minutes of the game to play.

A deep cross wasn’t dealt with by the Rovers defence and Elliott guided the ball home from a standing position.

And it was Aveley who were seemingly the side that would go on and push for the win. Bakare should have completed the comeback when he shot straight at Seal before Junior Baker crashed a header back off the bar with 10 minutes left on the clock.

And this woke Rovers up. First Stuart Hepburn nodded a header inches past the far post before Radley bundled a header narrowly wide.

 

Great Wakering Rovers: Seal, Pugsley (Strickland), Kent, Trenkel, Hepburn, Skelton, Radley, Worrell, Ranger (Bradley), Nash, Johnson (Jacobs)

Aveley: Marrable, Preston, Nesbitt, Baker, Harrison, Knott, Bakare, Elbi (Francis), Devlin (Asante), Stavrinou (Hopkins), Elliott

 

Other results: Conference South Concord Rangers 1-1 Boreham Wood

Ryman Premier Wingate & Finchley 2-0 Canvey Island, Billericay Town 2-1 VCD Athletic

FA Trophy 2nd Qual Rd East Thurrock United 4-4 Arlesey Town