'Scholars' through in FA Cup

The Scholars overcame a difficult first hurdle to make it though to the first qualifying round for the fourth year in succession. Drawn away against one of the favourites for Division One North promotion; a side who took four points off Potters Bar last season;it was always likely to prove a tricky afternoon.

In the first minute, however, it looked as though the game might turn out easier than expected as Dernell Wynter jinked his way into the Aveley penalty box and slotted home past the diving 'keeper with just 23 seconds on the clock and some "Bararmy" members still in the bar.

The home side refused to collapse and enjoyed a spell possession and neat passing without really troubling Berkley Laurencin in the visitors goal.

The Millers could have levelled after fifteen minutes as a George Doyle free kick found Harry Gibbs but the centre half's header flew over the top.

Moments later a flowing move down the left involving Sandro Costa and Dernell Wynter almost saw the visitors double the lead.

Alex Akrofi broke down the left for Aveley only to be thwarted by a timely clearance by the ever reliable James Budden.

moments later another cross from Doyle saw Garrett Healy head over the bar for the home side.

Approaching half way through the first half The Scholars doubled the lead. Sandro created problems on the left crossing the ball in to the box where Brad Sach's initial shot was blocked on the line but he followed up to cooly tuck the ball away to make it 2-0.

Two minutes later Sach was involved again; winning a battle of strength with centre half Gibbs and racing away only to see his shot fly just over.

With ten minutes of the half remaining Steve Brown made good contact with a Keegan Cole free kick but could only head wide of the target.
A Tom Richardson shot on the turn for Aveley was well dealt with by a confident Berkley Laurencin.

Minutes later Sach and Cole linked well to free Sandro but his driven shot was well blocked. As half time approached a Billy Adcock pass almost played in Wynter but the home 'keeper was first to react.

The second half almost began as spectacularly as the first, but with The Scholars almost conceding. A great chance fell to Andy Freeman who could only drive the ball wide .

It was becoming an ever more competitive game as Lee O'Leary drove at the Aveley defence but his shot was pushed away for a corner. Whilst a Billy Adcock free kick produced a great save from Sam Cowler in the Aveley goal. At the other end, George Doyle fired his free kick over the bar.

Aveley sub Marcus Milner looked to have a great chance to pull one back for the home side but Laurencin was quickly out to make a brave save at the forwards feet.

As the game descended into a frustrating muddle of free kicks and yellow cards, it was Aveley who perhaps had the better of the opportunities with Milner again causing problems and Budden once again proving his stumbling block. Richardson found space but could only fire over .

With almost the last action of the match Andy Freeman once again fired wide to deny the Millers the consolation they almost certainly deserved.