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Ilford 1 Aveley 1
BY COLIN MUNFORD

An eighty sixth minute equaliser from Wayne Vaughan salvaged a point for the Millers’ against an inspired Ilford side fighting for their lives to avoid relegation.
Although the Millers’ were below par they still had enough chances to win the match but it would have been unfair on a plucky Ilford side, who have lately showed signs of improvement with the slight chance of survival.

Aveley had a perfect chance to take the lead in the opening minutes but Bajada spoilt a good opportunity by firing wide. For the rest of the half it was the home side that dominated. Most of their chances fell to either on-form striker Petric Elbi, scoring four in his last two games, or Elie Kayembi. But on several occasions they failed to force Adam Rafis into a major save with Elbi the main culprit, missing a clear one on one with Rafis.
On the stroke of half time the Millers’ sustained a period of pressure. Glen Golby’s vicious throw in was flicked deep into the box to Bajada whose shot was pushed away only to Bajada again whose ball in found Vaughan at the front post but the striker shot just wide of the mark. Aveley manager Rod Stringer changed things at half time with two substitutes Andy Oxby and Ainsley Gasper on in place of Bradley Barnes and Ben Bradbury and after 51 minutes the latter sub shot over from a tight angle.
Rafis was forced into his first real save when he saved an effort from the dangerous Kayembi, although he should have done better when through on goal with only Rafis to beat. Then came the hammer blow from the home side as after 67 minutes Kayembi’s shot from the right left Rafis rooted to the spot and went into the top corner to give the Millers’ an up hill struggle.
The Millers’ then pushed forward and in the latter stages Glen Golby went up front as an emergency striker to add to the pressure on the Ilford defence. Just as the game looked to be going Ilford’s way the tide turned. Bajada turned the defence and shot goal wards with home custodian James Marrable on rushing. Marrable saved the effort but only succeeded in pushing it out to Wayne Vaughan, sprinting in from the edge of the area and firing past a despairing dive from Marrable.
Now, in the hope of keeping their play-off hopes alive the Millers’ went in search to find a winning goal and Vaughan missed a golden opportunity when he shot wide when well placed. Then in the third minute of time added on Nicky Wettner found Ainsley Gasper who in turn
fed Bajada who was one on one with Marrable but he shot straight at the keeper and with that went the Millers’ chance of nicking the win, which would have been harsh on a battling Ilford side. With other results not going their way, it looks like the Millers’ push for a play off is on thin ice, although they will settle for a position in the top half, after the nightmare start to the season.

Aveley: Adam Rafis, Sam Holloway, John Maskell, Ryan Doyle (Sean Francis 72), Glen Golby, Nicky Wettner, Ben Bradbury (Andy Oxby 46), Christian Wheeler, Wayne Vaughan, Leli Bajada, Bradley Barnes (Ainsley Gasper 46).

Subs not used: Shaz Ahmed, Gary Skerritt.

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