Heybridge Swifts 3-4 Aveley

From Scraley Road

Ryman One North

 

AVELEY went down 4-3 in a thrilling game against Heybridge Swifts.

A brace from Pet Elbi and another from Billy Holland weren’t enough for the visitors, against the side struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Millers started the game the better of the two sides, with Marcus Elliott denied by a brace challenge.

But, despite a strong start, it was Swifts who took the lead when former Aveley man bent a delightful effort over the helpless James Marrable.

But back came Aveley and it was a fine strike from Holland that brought parity, for his third in consecutive weeks.

Jack Stevenson hit an effort off the post, before Theo Ola was denied by a stunning save.

But Aveley did get the reward their play deserved when a neat header from Junior Baker allowed Elbi to tap home the rebound.

The referee waved away calls for a penalty when Ola went tumbling, before Billy Hunt fired in off the post to bring the scores level at half time.

After the break, Justin Gardner’s side re-took the lead when Elbi sent a fine strike from 25 yards beyond the goalkeeper.

But the Millers collapsed in injury time, conceding two goals to hand the hosts’ victory.

The ball was scrambled home in injury time to move the hosts ahead, when Billy Hunt crashed home to draw Swifts level.

This was before a red card for Spencer Harrison after he allegedly elbowed Adeyinka Cole.

And, eight minutes into injury time, Swifts hit the decisive blow as Paul White hit the post for Hunt to tap home.

Aveley: Marrable, Baker, Preston, Baker, Harrison, Deen, Ola (Carvell), Holland (Essuman), Elbi (Pedulu), Stevenson, Elliott