Aveley 3-0 Thamesmead Town - Problems mount for Mead

Mead, now without a win from their first four Ryman League Division One North games, started brightly, attacking from the kick-off with Richard Dimmock going close with a deflected shot.

James Brown’s shot, from a tight angle, cleared the crossbar, for the Kent side, after fourteen minutes.

But Aveley came very close to scoring within a minute when Sean Thamonases’ cross was met by the head of Petrit ElbI, but the ball flashed wide of Chris Connealley’s post.

Thamesmead lost inspirational midfielder Scot Mulholland on 25 minutes, when he was badly injured after a midfield tackle.

It is suspected that Mulholland suffered a twisted knee and he was sent to hospital to examine the extent of the injury.

Nick Smith was brought on in his place to bolster the attack, but this move seemed to leave Thamesmead vulnerable in the middle of the park.

The Essex side had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down after 33 minutes after it appeared that Elbi was brought down.

The opening of the second half was played at a frantic pace, with both sides coming close to breaking the deadlock.

Dimmock had a good shot blocked after a pinpoint pass from Curtis Williams and at the other end, Ben Bradbury’s cross-come-shot ricochet off the Mead crossbar.

However, Conneally fell backwards to damage his left leg and he was forced to continue as there was no substitute goalkeeper on the bench.

Thamesmead had another golden opportunity after the hardworking Danny Moore again won the ball at the back to drive forward and supply a pass into Dimmock’s feet inside the area. Crowded out, Dimmock laid the ball off to Rikki Cable, who’s low curling shot crept just past the post.

Referee Mr Holderness turned down a second appeal for what looked a cast iron penalty, this time for Thamesmead with seventeen minutes remaining.

With the ball at his feet, Dimmock appeared to be cleverly tripped inside Aveley’s penalty area, only for the referee to wave play on.

Thamesmead’s inability to keep the ball in midfield was punished on 78 minutes.

The ever threatening ElbI was put through the defence and slotted home under Conneally to put the Essex side in the lead.

Three minutes later, Conneally came to clear, but could only find ElbI, but his first time lob, from 35-yards, sailed wide.

Dimmock had a golden opportunity to even the game up when young Lee Dawson played a great ball into the middle of the Aveley penalty area, which reached the feet of Dimmock who was in space, but he couldn’t beat goalkeeper James Marrable from ten-yards.

But two goals in the last three minutes, gave Mead manager Keith McMahon something to think about.

Gary Skerritt’s far-post cross was met by the head of Joao Carlos and after McMahon brought on Harbingi Grant for defender Lee Coburn, Aveley added a third.

A mix-up between Conneally and Moore in the six-yard box was punished by Elbi, scoring his second.

After two points from a possible twelve and with injuries to Mulholland and defender Lew Watts (broken toe), McMahon has a lot to consider going into next Saturday’s trip to Waltham Forest in the preliminary round of the FA Cup.

Thamesmead Town: Chris Conneally, Curtis Williams, Danny Moore, James Brown (Lee Dawson), Dean Kearley, Lee Coburn (Herbingi Grant 89), Scott Mulholland (Nick Smith 25), Pedro Knight, Richard Dimmock, Rikki Cable, Robbie Tarrant.