AFC Hornchurch 2, Aveley 1
ANOTHER weekend and another penalty for Jonathan Hunt, but this time it gave Hornchurch the win.
Hunt converted from the spot last week to salvage a draw for the Urchins but he was able to score from the spot kick.
The home side had taken the lead through Jo Flack but the Millers levelled through Ryan Edgar before Hunt struck again.
The first half showing was poor by both sides standards with neither side really imposing themselves on the game.
Hornchurch’s best attack saw the lively Jo Flack force keeper Ollie Morris-Sanders into a block low down to his near post.
Ryan Edgar then saw his effort curl wide for the visitors before on the stroke of half time Martin Tuohy headed inches past the post.
The bookings were beginning to fly in for both sides from a whistle happy referee, with little to suggest the nine bookings that were handed out.
But the home side took the lead on the hour mark when a quick free kick from Hunt found Flack and from the tightest of angles he managed to squeeze the ball in between the post and Morris-Sanders.
Flack then hit the post six minutes later as the home side asserted their pressure on the match.
But with ten minutes left the visitors equalised when Sam Holloway’s long free kick was flicked past Darren Behcet’s near post by Ryan Edgar.
And they thought that goal had earned them a share of the spoils but Flack turned Michael Alaile and the defender pulled the striker down and referee West pointed to the spot.
It looked like he had sent Alaile off for the foul after initially showing him a red card but he had a sudden change of heart and only cautioned him, leaving the 371 crowd shocked and wondering what had actually gone on.
But after a while Hunt stepped up and stroked the penalty home sending Morris-Sanders the wrong way and earning Hornchurch the three points.
Aveley: Ollie Morris-Sanders, Alex Bentley (Che Stadhart 89), Sam Holloway, Nicky Symons, Michael Alaile, Ryan Doyle, Ryan Edgar, Matt Johnson, Sherwin Stanley, Martin Tuohy (David Knight 72), Greg Lincoln (Junior Dadson 72)
Subs not used: Steve Butterworth, John Maskell.