Hughesy on target as Millers cruise to victory

Goalkeeper David Hughes netted a wonder goal on the stroke of half time as Aveley got back to winning ways against Basildon United at Parkside last night.

The first half looked like ending goalless until Hughes’ goal kick was helped on by the wind, and went over the head of his opposite number George Marsh and into the back of the net.

That gave the Millers the vital breakthrough, before second half goals from George Sykes, Jason Raad and Wyan Reid ensured Keith Rowland’s side picked up a first league win since 25th January.

Rowland made one change to the starting line-up from the 1-1 draw at Soham Town Rangers on Saturday, with George Sykes coming in for Tom Richardson in a like-for-like replacement in attack.

Not for the first time this season, the game was played in strong windy conditions, and it was the hosts that settled the better.

Sykes warmed the palms of Marsh as early as the sixth minute in what was to prove to be a busy night for the Bees keeper, as he was again forced into action to deny Alex Akrofi three minutes later.

Sykes continued to be at the heart of Aveley’s attacking threat, and saw a header from Raad’s corner go just over the bar as the hosts continued to push for the opener.

Raad himself got in on the act as he tried his luck from distance, only to see his effort curl wide of the post with Marsh at full stretch.
Hughes, for almost the entire game, was a spectator as the Millers remained in the ascendancy, but seemingly couldn’t break down a stubborn Bees backline.

His opposite number, Marsh was again forced into a good save to deny Raad and it looked as though it would be goalless at the break – but cometh the hour, cometh Hughesy.

The Millers keeper launched a goal
kick deep into the Basildon half. The wind undoubtedly played a part as it carried the ball further forward, surprising Marsh by landing on the penalty spot and going over the head of the stranded keeper. That proved to be the last action of the half and Basildon heads had well and truly dropped going into the interval.

Half time | Aveley 1-0 Basildon United

Hughes’ strike certainly settled the hosts and they managed to turn on the style in the second half as they continued to run riot against a disappointing Bees performance.

The Millers continued on the front foot as Akrofi dragged a shot wide, before they did double their advantage with a super Sykes strike on 58 minutes.

The ball kindly fell into the path of the striker on the edge of the box and his first-time left-footed effort curled its way into the corner of the net past the despairing dive of Marsh.

Chances continued to come the way of the hosts as Sykes played in Akrofi who saw his shot blocked, and George Allen’s strike from the rebound was pushed behind for a corner.

Aveley didn’t have to wait too long to effectively seal all three points with the third goal as a lovely ball over the top found the run of Raad, whose fierce effort from inside the box beat Marsh at his near post.

The Millers rung the changes after that with skipper Connor Witherspoon withdrawn, while Alex Akrofi, set to start his suspension following Saturday’s sending off, replaced by Jack Mochalski and Tony Martin respectively.

Allen was again denied by a smart stop from Marsh following an inswinging corner, who then denied Sykes a second with a save low down.

Raad made way for Alfie Hilton for the final 13 minutes and with the game already home and hosed, the Millers added a fourth with five minutes left on the clock.

A lovely ball which split the Basildon defence found Reid running in from the right and the winger coolly fired past Marsh to add to the visitors woes and round off an important victory for the Millers.

Basildon rarely threatened throughout but in stoppage time did manage to muster one effort on goal as Ademola Adeyemi fired just over Hughes’ bar.

Full time | Aveley 4-0 Basildon Utd

Aveley XI | Hughes, Nzengo, Mvemba, Witherspoon (Mochalski 68), Gibbs, Allen, Reid, Ngandu, Sykes, Raad (Hilton 77), Akrofi (Martin 72)
Unused substitutes | Richardson, Chawner

Basildon United XI | G Marsh, Ashworth, Adeyemi, O’Brien (Howard 78), J Marsh, Jude, Price-Placid, Staunton, Cox (Vyse 63), Campbell (Tyrell 69)
Unused substitutes | Perry, Stratford