The Seedgrowers were set for a tough game on Saturday afternoon as the mid-table reds took on fifth place Aveley. The away side were quick to pressure, forcing a number of saves out of Matt Cafer who was kept busy in the opening minutes of the fixture. Despite the pressure, Coggeshall dealt with the fast paced attacking style well, and fourteen minutes in, debutant Jamal Balogun headed the ball in from a corner, as he met the well placed set piece in from the back post. A flurry of chances followed in the away eighteen yard box, with the ball passing across the goal line, and an attempted chip from Alex Teniola that was promptly saved by the Millers goalkeeper. Aveley’s quick break then took the Seedgrowers off guard, as Cafer was once again to the rescue to keep the home side in the lead.

Aveley’s Jon Benton was then booked for a rash tackle on Jermaine Francis as he became somewhat of a target of the away side’s fouls. The fast paced winger then shortly after broke through the blue’s back line alongside Ayrton Coley who struck the post with a powerful bending effort. Ross Wall’s follow up drew just wide of the top left corner as the Millers were awarded a goal kick. Aveley’s Ryan Scott then equalised as a nicely placed header caught the Seedgrowers off guard. Not three minutes later Alex Akrofi capitalised on the disheartened reds defence as he put the travelling side in the lead with just five minutes remaining in the half.

Half time: Coggeshall Town 1 – 2 Aveley

Ross Wall was quick out the blocks following the reccomencing on the second half, as his sumptuous effort was blocked by Aveley’s defence. He later levelled the scoreline as he sent home a strike from relative distance, following on from a fantastic pressure fuelled repossesion by Jermaine Francis who had strived to create the equaliser. Milo Grimes was soom after booked for a late challenge on the fringe of the final third. Both sides then looked to the bench as the Miller’s Oscar Shelvey replaced Koby Yeboah, and Ayrton Coley made way for Dean Ager. A fantastic breakaway play from the Seedgrowers then saw Alex Teniola burst down the right wing as his magnificent cross met the left boot of Francis who sent the ball the ball rifling into the roof of the net as Coggeshall fans followed the youngster to the corner flag in celebration.

Aveley quickly made their second change as Harry Gibbs replaced Manny Ogunrinde. Dean Ager was shown a red card by the referee in the eighty-seventh minute after an admittedly rash challenge took out the blue’s left winger. Alex Teniola then made way for Jayden Gipson after his home debut saw him grab an assist. Aveley then appeared to have equalised as away fans roared under the shelter only to be let down by the linesmans flag, who ruled the potential goal offside; much to the delight and relief of Coggeshall supporters. The Miller’s made their final change through Tom Salter who came on in place of Jon Nzengo. Jermaine Francis then capped off a true man of the match performance as he relentlessly dragged the ball around the goalkeeper to make it four goals for the Seedgrowers. The winger made his way to the corner flag where the home side players bundled the goalscorer as they saw the game out until the final whistle.

Full time: Coggeshall Town 4 – 2 Aveley