Monday 2nd November 2009, Mill Field, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Essex Senior Cup supported by BBC Essex Third Round
Aveley, beaten finalists in 2004 and 2005, safely progressed to the Fourth Round of this season’s Essex Senior Cup supported by BBC Essex with an entertaining 2-1 victory over Ryman League Division One North club Brentwood Town at Mill Field, Junior Dadson and an own goal earning them the plaudits.
The two sides battled bravely against each other for promotion to the Premier Division last season and are now split, with the Millers eventually clinching the title while Brentwood were defeated in the play-offs. Indeed, Aveley’s divisional superiority soon showed as they dominated the first period. There were a matter of seconds on the clock when Town ‘keeper James Hassell was required to hold onto Ian Luck’s low effort and Dadson shot just over the top shortly afterwards.
A free-kick from Sam Holloway set-up Nicky Symons whose low strike was deflected just wide of the post before the hosts gained a deserved lead on 19 minutes as a dangerous Dadson cross was directed into his own net by Steve Good at the near post. As Aveley continued to dominate, Hassell did well to hold onto a stinging half-volley by Dadson following a Luck knock-down before Brentwood’s first chance of the night saw home ‘keeper James Marrable misjudge a swinging Lee Perry centre which left Hughie Ashman free, but his header dropped wide of the mark.
Marrable was then called upon to cling onto a 15-yard Joe Sweeney drive, but Brentwood’s hopes of an equaliser were dashed on 28 minutes as the home side doubled their advantage, Dadson latching onto a fine Darren Quinton through ball before sending a grounded shot into the far corner from a tight angle. Town responded well, though, Marrable being tested by Ross Parmenter’s 25-yard effort shortly before the break. That impetus was taken into the second period and, within two minutes of the re-start, Town pulled a goal back, Parmenter playing Ashman through and he knocked the ball past Marrable before sliding into an unguarded net.
Wide-man Perry then came close to levelling for the visitors, picking-up a loose ball in the centre of the pitch before ending a great run with a fierce effort which was well held by Marrable before the home custodian was on his guard again to grasp onto Danny Glozier’s 20-yard free-kick. Aveley then grabbed the ascendancy again and Symons shot just wide after a Mitch Hahn corner while fine work involving Hahn and Piers Wixon eventually saw Dadson’s shot fizz wide of the post.
Brentwood substitute Dee Okojie soon squandered a fine opportunity, shooting high having created space for himself inside the box. But Aveley also had their own chances, Martin Tuohy coming off the bench to stab wide following a tidy interchange with fellow sub Sam Lechmere, who himself saw a low shot clutched by Hassell moments later. Aveley could have sealed the tie two minutes into stoppage time when Dadson’s effort slid wide of the post and there was still time for a scare when George Lay teed-up Ashman for the visitors and his effort bounced off the top of the crossbar.
Aveley: James Marrable, Ryan Doyle, Sam Holloway, Nicky Symons, Michael Alaile, Darren Blewitt, Mitch Hahn (Ryan Edgar, 81), Darren Quinton (Sam Lechmere, 81), Piers Wixon, Ian Luck (Martin Tuohy, 79), Junior Dadson. Unused Substitutes: Clydie Roberts, Matthew Johnson.
Brentwood Town: James Hassell, Donovan Wilson, Danny Glozier, Nathan Fletcher, Steve Good, Ross Parmenter (George Lay, 70), James Love (Dee Okoje, 68), Richard Priest, Joe Sweeney, Hughie Ashman, Lee Perry (Petrit Elbi, 81). Unused Substitutes: Max Castledine.
Bookings: Aveley: Luck (73, unsporting behaviour).
Referee: Neil West (Leigh-on-Sea).
Assistant Referees: Jamie Garwood (North Weald) and Craig Pullen (Ilford).
Man-of-the-Match: Junior Dadson (Aveley): A never-tiring thorn in the Brentwood side with his left-flank play. Forced the own goal that gave his side a lead and scored an impressive conversion for the second. Also caused problems with his crosses as well as coming close to grabbing further goals himself.