Aveley 2, Tonbridge Angels 0
BY COLIN MUNFORD
GOALS from Martin Tuohy and Sam Lechmere secured a comfortable victory to secure the Millers’ place in the play-offs.
Lechmere headed home after 38 minutes, but the game hinged on the sending off of Angels keeper Lee Worgan just before half time for hand ball outside the area, before Tuohy made the win safe three minutes into the second half.
Tonbridge had to get something out of the game if they were to have any chance of the play-offs but started off on the back foot after Steve Butterworth found Tuohy unmarked but Worgan parried the effort behind for the corner.
At the other end Meshach Nugent’s header was deflected onto the bar and Ollie Morris-Sanders done well to push over Kirk Watts’ inswinging delivery from the resulting corner.
Scott Kinch should have done a lot better when unmarked in the box but he headed well wide.
But on the home sides next foray forward they took a vital lead.
Steve Butterworth’s ball in from the right found Sam Lechmere at the back post, and the smallest player on the pitch headed into the ground and past a stranded Worgan.
And the keeper’s game was not to last much longer when he came out of his box and as Tuohy lobbed the keeper he was adjudged to have handled, although there appeared to be little else he could do to get out of the way.
It did not take long for Aveley to home in on victory in the second half as Tuohy found himself in acres of space at the back post and he coolly slotted past stand-in keeper Scott Kinch.
Angels plugged away in vain with Sonny Miles shot being well saved by Morris-Sanders and sub Jamie Cade fired wide when put through.
The Millers had late chances through Lechmere and sub Danny Gabriel but nothing was to take the gloss off their seasons’ efforts.
Tonbridge boss Tommy Warilow was unhappy about the decision which he felt the game hinged on.
“For me it hit the top of his rib area and once he was sent off the game was over.”
We gave it a go but we never really got into the game and we have given b everything in the last two games and there were a lot of tired legs out there having to play so many games in such a short period, but it has been exactly the same for Aveley.”
Aveley manager Rod Stringer was ecstatic to say the least but was very pleased with his team’s efforts in this crunch game.
“It was an excellent result considering the pressure we were under coming into the game having to get at least a point but the lads have been terrific all season and we completely deserve to be where we have finished.”