LATE DRAMA AT CRICKLEFIELD ALLOWS AVELEY TO SNEAK THROUGH

It was more Championship Manager Round Two action for the cold end on Wednesday evening as Premier Aveley visited Division One (North) Waltham Forest. It was the hosts who are without a win in the league that had the best play of the first half with a shot cleared off the line. Ade Cole playing on the left wing caused problems for the Aveley defence by cutting in and running with the ball in support of Jermain Hughes and Dannny Francis playing up front for The Stags. Hughes and Francis, who are not the biggest of players, didn't win much in the air against the very tall Aveley centre back pairing of Sean Francis and Danny Slatter.

Ade Cole, who was the cold end's best player on display until he was replaced in the second half after picking up a knock from a challenge right in front of the benches which caused much anger from the home section. Gradually, Aveley got back into the game and had the better chances in the second half.

With the score at 0-0 going into 90 minutes + most of the 51 spectators present were looking forward to extra-time and possibly penalty kicks. That was until The Miller's speedy substitute Abs Thompson got through on goal in front of Gbenga Ladega from what was argued by the home side as an off-side position. Ladega who had had a great game up until this point pulled down Thompson inside the box for the referee to point to the penalty spot and send Ladega off for a professional foul.

Orlando Smith scored the penalty kick with the referee blowing for time as the ball virtually hit the back of the net.

From what the cold end saw tonight Waltham Forest may pick up a few points from now on as they pushed Premier Division Aveley all the way playing some nice football with Ade Cole particularly impressing with his speed and skill on the left wing before he was substituted. Cole did pick up a knock from a strong challenge limped across the pitch at the end of the game. 

Aveley, who face a tough Trophy trip to Zamaretto League side Cambridge City on Saturday, will be pleased they scored and won the cup-tie with the last kick of the game (thus avoiding extra-time) with the Stags gutted they didn't get anything out of the game despite putting in a determined performance.

Waltham Forest
Sidney Anguilley, Ian Walsh, Jamie Haywood, Gbenga Ladega, Brian Suchley, Anthony Gradley, Ashley Taylor-Forbes, Emeka Nkemdirim, Danny Francis, Jermiane Hughes (sub - Brian Okwera), Ade Cole (sub - Charlie Simpson)
Subs not used - Leon Wilson, Des Thomas, Ryan Hall

Aveley
Mark Parker, Jonathan Darby, Andy Howell, Danny Brown, Sean Francis, Danny Slatter (sub - Orlando Smith), Darren Quinton, Tony Russell, Matthew Judge (sub - Abs Thompson), David Knight, Luke Coleman (sub - Luke Stanley)
Subs not used - Ben Billings, Charlie Read.


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