PITCHING-IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CRAY VALLEY (PM) 1 AVELEY 4 - 4 NOVEMBER 2025 - ATT 192
Goals: CV - Akbani 82
A - Zuhdu 15, 18, 30, 60

In the battle of the Millers at the Artic Stadium it was the visitors who took control with a first half hat trick from striker Suley Zuhdu, who then added a fourth after the interval on the hour. Ibby Akbani pulled a goal back late on for Valley but it was Aveley who took all three points with a convincing victory.

The tone was set with an early chance for the visitors when Chris Harris was put through on goal after 6 minutes but on this occasion Shaun Rowley in the Valley goal made a good block with his legs to thwart the attack, the effort from the rebound going wide. There were early bookings for Marvel Ekpiteta 1st minute and Sonny Black on 8 minutes, both following fouls. Aveley took the lead in the 15th minutes, Zuhdu with a well struck shot from just inside the area, in off the post. The lead was doubled by the same player three minutes later. Zhudu then took advantage after possession was given away in the middle of the park and from the break he completed his hat trick on the half hour being on hand to tap home the rebound after Rowley's initial save.

After the interval the home side tried to rally but an uphill task become even more difficult on the hour when a long clearance following a Valley free kick on the edge of the box saw the Valley defender appear to slip allowing Zuhdu to add their and his fourth of the game. Akanbi pulled a goal back with a clinical finish slotting past the keeper. Aveley through George Saunders had a fifth ruled out for offside. To add to Valley's woes on the night Crossley Lema who had been booked in the 56th minute was then dismissed for a second yellow late on.

Aveley fully deserved their win and Manager Steve McKimm would not have been happy as was evidenced by the lengthy post match inquest which took place behind closed doors in the dressing room after the game. No time to dwell on the defeat though, next up is an equally tough looking game away at Billericay Town on Saturday.

Millers: Peart-Rowley, Bowry, Ekpiteta, Waldren (c) (Harvey 74), Lema, Shomotun (Moore 56), Black, Adebiyi (Ajakaiye 63), Vigor (Cumberbatch 59), Aileru, Barrington (Akanbi 75)
Cautions: Ekpoteta , Black , Lema
Dismissed: Lema 85 (second yellow)

Aveley: Wright, Tinubu, Critchley, Gipson (Haysom 65), Saunders, Peters (Muldoon 46), Zuhdu (Nwabueze 69), Church (Reynolds 61), Harris, Robinson, Henshaw (c) Sub not used: Charles
Cautions: Gipson, Church, Robinson

Kenny Aileru in green for Cray Valley playing against his old side was given a warm welcome by the visiting fans