Aveley 0 Ebbsfleet Utd 1
By COLIN MUNFORD
AVELEY opened up their pre-season account with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Blue Square Premier side Ebbsfleet Utd.
In front of a 214 crowd, Millers’ boss Rod Stringer tried out several players fielding two different sides in each half, with many former Millers’ trying their hand in the Royal Blue jersey again.
Ebbsfleet started the match with England ‘C’ International keeper Lance Cronin, and started the brighter of the two sides with several efforts testing Ronnie Worster in the Millers’ goal.
And the Blue Square Premier took the lead after 22 minutes when a good flowing move was finished off by trialist Pascal Ebigbo.
Kurt Smith and Neil Richmond looked promising in attack, with Richmond harshly adjudged offside when one-on-one with Cronin, as both had chances on goal.
The second half saw chances fall to both sides, although Ebbsfleet looked the more dangerous but neither side was able to get on the scoresheet with some fine saves from substitute keeper Dave McCartney.
All in all it was a good first workout for both sides as the start of their respective pre-seasons.
Aveley continue their pre-season campaign with a visit from Coca Cola League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge, with a 7.45pm kick off.
Aveley, 1st Half: Ronnie Worster, Ryan Doyle, John Maskell, Richard Ketchell, David Cooper, Gareth Street, Ryan Imbert, Garry Skerritt, Neil Richmond, Kurt Smith, Nicky Wettner.
2nd Half: Dave McCartney, Sam Holloway, Brett Doherty, Peter Luck, Nathan Fletcher, Sam Adejokun, Nicky Symonds, Jack Callow, Darren Scudder, Ellie Kayembe, Wickson, Victor Omogbehin.