Redbridge 1 Aveley 1

BY COLIN MUNFORD

Leli Bajada’s quick fire second half strike earned a share of the spoils and probably on reflection a fair result.

Glen Golby had put the Millers’ ahead on the stroke of half time but Bajada equalised within 18 seconds of the restart.

Both sides had numerous chances to take the win but both failed to put some golden opportunities away.

The first chance of the day came Aveley’s way and it fell to Wayne Vaughan. He got on the end of Ben Bradbury’s ball in but directed his header straight at Tony Tucker.

Vaughan continued to be a menace to the Motormen’s defence all game and after 19 minutes rounded Tucker but his finish fell wide of the target.

Redbridge were slowly but surely getting into the game and had a gilt edged chance to break the deadlock through former Miller’ Leli Bajada. Harlee Dean found a gap in the Millers’ defence finding Bajada unmarked but the striker shot wide, although it was debatable as to whether Bajada was offside.

Joao Carlos was also causing Redbridge’s back line a problem on the wings and after finding Vaughan on the edge of the area whose shot was pushed wide by Tucker.

But deep in first half stoppage time the visitors opened the scoring but with a slight bit of luck on their side. Carlos on the wing pulled the ball back to Golby who then seemed to be shaping up for a cross, but it managed to deceive Tucker and the goalkeeper failed to collect the ball and saw it nestling into the bottom corner and it proved to be the last kick of the half.

However the lead did not last long as from the kick off a ball over the top found Bajada who found himself one-on-one with James Marrable and slotted the ball past the on rushing keeper.

Redbridge were then on top for the majority of the half but failed to work Marrable and it was the Millers’ who was to go closest.

Carlos’s ball in from the left found Vaughan free in the box but the striker somehow failed to hit the back of the net with the effort just clipping the post.

Both sides rallied to try and find a winner, but Redbridge settled for a draw, taking off goal scorer Bajada for another former Miller Earl Sterling.

The closest either side came to producing a winner came to the Millers’ as the ever present Carlos worked his way in from the right and shot agonisingly over the bar.

Aveley: James Marrable, Glen Golby, Sam Holloway, Christian Wheeler, John Maskell, Sean Francis, Ben Bradbury (Bradley Barnes 80), Gary Skerritt, Wayne Vaughan (Sean Thomas 71), Petrit Elbi, Joao Carlos.
Subs not used: Nicky Wettner, Ryan Doyle, Joel Barnett.