The Motormen were left gutted after Aveley scored a last minute goal to claim the three points in this intense clash.

It was a great game of football and the opening 40 minutes was resembled that of a chess match with both sides keeping the ball well looking to create that opening.

Both teams were working hard in the midfield and this resulted in a lack of few clear cut chances. The away side were keeping the ball well and it was clear to see how they managed to put six past Wroxham on the opening day.

The breakthrough eventually came after some brilliant play down the right flank which saw Leslie Thompson head home a wonderful goal from a Jack Carlile cross. Aveley and their manager in particular certainly were not too happy with falling behind.

The second half was similar to the start of the game with Aveley keeping good possession but at the same time unable to breakthrough a well organised Redbridge back four, in particular the two full backs of Eljay Worrell and Bostry Bansende.

Redbridge remained in front at the break but had goalkeeper Dean Driscoll to thank for keeping it that way early in the second half when he saved Junior Appiah’s fierce effort following Luke Wilson’s long throw.

In the 62nd minute the latter picked up his second yellow of the evening in controversial circumstances, controversially and with that the momentum now shifted fully towards the away side.

Ten minutes later and substitute Anton Stephenson looped his header past Dean Driscoll and Aveley had their equaliser making the most of their numerical advantage. Four minutes later and the Millers also saw themselves down to ten men when star man Junior Appiah who had only just returned from a suspension, picked up a cheap second yellow for kicking the ball away.

Just as it seemed the points would be shared Aveley found the perfect cross for Ross Wall to simply tap home deep into injury time.

It was heartbreak for the Motormen have now lost their opening two games but they can certainly take a lot of positives from this defeat and will now be desperate to pick up three points this Saturday where they host Soham Town Rangers.

Joint boss Ricky Eaton was pleased with the character shown by his side to put in an improved performance after Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Erith & Belvedere. “Football can be a cruel game sometimes, the boys put in a great effort,” said Eaton.
“We are more disappointed for the boys than anything because they put in such a good shift and compared to Saturday’s game we couldn’t have asked for much more, we’ve gone out there and really worked our socks off”

Report by Ridhwaan Yusuf