Thamesmead Town started 2017 with their fifth away win on the trot (and sixth in total) against an Aveley side who began the day in the Play Off places.
Second half goals from Paul Vines – his 17th of the season – and a second from Ellis Brown on his first start for the club cemented the Mead’s seventh win in eight games but once again the central defensive partnership of Lewis Knight and Leon Smith proved vital to the victory which statistically at least lifted the side to mid table – thirteen points off the Play Off zone and eleven ahead of the drop one; a far cry from the position just one month ago when the club was rock bottom of Ryman One North.
Boss Tommy Warrilow was understandably delighted, “I thought we defended magnificently today,” he told us, “all the way from Tom through the back three at the end – people putting their head’s in and bodies on the line. It was a great win!”
It was a tight and fiercely contested opening half Toner had the game’s first real chance as he battled through tackles on the edge of the box before keeper Tom Wellham was able to turn the ball around the right post. Aveley keeper Joseph-Johnson then kept the score-line blank by a fine low save to keep out Bode Anidugbe’s drive before the visitors went close twice in quick succession. From Jay Porter’s deep cross, Scott Kinch was denied by a good block from the keeper and as the ball looped up, Vines saw his header cleared off the line by Odamo. The home side then had their best opportunity of the opening half when Coyne’s free-kick was well beaten out by Wellham diving to his right.
Ellis Brown then almost gave the Mead the lead just after the break as he prodded the ball past Joseph-Johnson only to see defenders clear the ball away, and despite the home side having a couple of shots from distance, the first hour ended goal-less. Brown then literally turned the game with a brilliant run that left blue shirted defenders in his wake until that is his run was crudely stopped by Clark – who was shown a yellow card for his troubles – as referee Lowe pointed to the spot. Up stepped Vines to drill the penalty home, for his 17th of the season and his fifth in his last six games.
The home side tried desperately to get a foot hold, the Mead back line excelled – repelling wave after wave of Aveley attacks, and whilst the two central defenders were outstanding the contributions made by the two full backs cannot be underestimated as the unit as a whole kept the main Aveley threat – Marson Bloomfield (who has attracted interest from Football League scouts, and had again at this game) reasonably quiet as the home side were restricted for the most part to efforts from distance. Indeed from one such attack, Nathan Simposon did very well to clear the ball away when Tom for once was struggling!
The win was sealed late on when Porter sprinted away down the left and as he rolled the ball across the face of goal, Brown walked the ball into the empty net with the “offside” appeals from home players and supporters alike falling on deaf ears.
The Mead now return home to face another side – Bowers & Pitsea – who have also been on an amazing run on Saturday. Monday’s 1-5 defeat at Maldon was the division’s new boy’s first league defeat in ten games after they had won the previous nine!
THAMESMEAD – Tom Wellham, Harvey Brand, Nathan Simpson, Scott Kinch, Lewis Knight, Leon Smith (Joe Vines), Ellis Green (Alex Teniola), Bode Anidugbe, Paul Vines, Ellis Brown, Jay Porter
Subs – Ike Feehi & Michael Ademiluyi