Margate 2, Aveley 0
SHAUN WELFORD’S brace gave Margate their first win of the season, despite an improved first half showing from the Millers.
On two occasions the visitors went close but they were made to pay for those missed chances and new signing Welford bagged two late goals to give Iain O’Connell’s men a vital victory.
The first half started slowly but the Millers looked threatening with Abs Thompson and new loan signing from Braintree Town Reece Harris on the wings.
But it took until the 25th minute for the first real chance of the match.
Tony Russell headed goal bound from a right-wing corner but keeper Jamie Turner superbly pushed the ball wide for another corner.
And only seven minutes later Turner was again in fine form as Harris’ free kick looked to be curling into the bottom corner before he tipped the ball behind for a corner.
After the break the home side brought on Ishmail Kamara and his pace and invention changed the game as the Millers failed to muster a chance throughout the half.
Matt Bennett was unable to gather properly after coming out of his goal but Jay Saunders’ weak shot was unable to advantage as the keeper gathered the effort.
But as the visitors looked to be holding on for a draw Gate’s pressure finally told as Wayne Wilson’s corner was superbly headed home by Welford as he rose tallest to fire in across a crowded goal.
And they wrapped the game up in the first minute of stoppage time as Welford was unmarked in the six-yard box and simply headed past a stranded Bennett.
Aveley: Matt Bennett, Wayne Semanshia, Andy Howells, Sean Francis
(Piers Wixon 83), Tony Russell, Billy Crowther, Abs Thompson, Danny
Slatter, David Knight, Darren Quinton (Ryan Edgar 88), Reece Harris.
Subs not used: Scott Pethers, Marc Gorbell, Clydie Roberts.