Millers fairytale continues on
THIS was an extremely entertaining encounter between two Essex rivals at Aveley’s impressive Parkside Stadium where the BetVictor Isthmian League North high-fliers came out deserved winners against a Chelmsford City side playing two levels above them.
Late strikes from Alex Akrofi and right-back Jonathan Nzengo helped the Millers over the line after Chelmsford’s Chris Whelpdale had cancelled out Jason Raad’s earlier strike.
Looking to further extend their longest ever run in the Trophy, Aveley came out of the blocks the quickest with the impressive Akrofi denied by a good save by Laurie Walker in the Chelmsford goal early on.
And it didn’t take long before the Step 4 side made their pressure count – 12 minutes in fact when South African playmaker Raad found the net with a fantastic free-kick.
From there, the visitors, who recently parted company with manager Rod Stringer, shaded the rest of the first half with keeper David Hughes called upon to keep out efforts from Whelpdale and Tom Knowles.
George Sykes then came close to extending Aveley’s lead just before half-time but was denied by excellent work from Tom Wraight.
Sykes was Aveley’s strongest outlet and twice went close to doubling their lead after the break.
First, he saw an effort brilliantly cleared off the line by Ollie Muldoon, only to then be denied by Laurie Walker in the Chelmsford goal.
The Clarets, however, were never out of it and conjured up a chance of their own when Billy Knott was denied by excellent defending by Nzengo.
Wraight then had a freekick for Chelmsford from a similar position to Raad’s in the first half but he shot straight into the wall.
But just when Aveley looked like they had weathered the storm, Chelmsford struck – Whelpdale finishing well following a flowing move on 79 minutes to bring the National League South side level.
The match looked like it was heading to extra-time but with two minutes left, Akrofi, a former Chelmsford trialist, sent the majority of the 811 supporters into raptures.
The nimble attacker sidestepped his marker before coolly finishing in the corner, giving goalkeeper Walker no chance.
A nervous finale ensured with the Clarets pushing forward but in the fifth minute of time added on Aveley put the tie to bed – Nzengo smashing a shot from fully 30 yards into the corner of Walker’s net.
Celebrations reached a crescendo when the final whistle went moments later as a pitch invasion from the jubilant home supporters marked a famous victory..
Delighted Aveley boss Keith Rowland told The NLP:
“I’m over the moon. We were superb today and it’s great to be in the next round.”