Not many people know very much about Aveley. Indeed, there is very little reason for people to know anything about them. However, if Chelmsford City boss Paul Parker does not take them seriously, then he will find himself in the same situation as his landlords Billericay Town – defeated in the Essex Senior Cup, except this time, it will be the final and not the semi, and the Thurrock-based outfit will run out victors for the first time in over thirty years.
Playing their home games at Mill Field, where they beat Billericay on penalty kicks after former Shrimper Danny Kerrigan blasted his sides fourth spot-kick against the crossbar, Aveley have assumed the nickname the Millers, first given to them when they moved to their current abode in the 1951/2 season, some 27 years after their formation. In 1954/5 they won the London League, signalling their proximity to Britain’s capital. In 1964/5 they were granted full membership of the Football Association, and it was this campaign that witnessed the last time Aveley reached the final of the Senior Cup. In 1970/1, the Millers enjoyed their most successful season, winning the Athenian League and reaching the First Round Proper of the F.A. Cup. In 1979/80 they won the Essex Thameside Trophy and in 1988/9 the East Anglian Cup, but for the most part they have fluctuated between Ryman (formerly Isthmian) League Divisions One and Two, ending up as they do now in Ryman Division One North.
By contrast, much more is known about the Clarets. City received some good news two weeks ago when they learnt that Chelmsford Borough Council had granted planning permission for the club to return to the settlement, having been in exile through spells with Maldon Town and Billericay Town’s New Lodge. More can be found in Mark Wallis’ excellent ‘About the Ground – New Writtle Street’ article. Currently hanging on to Dr. Martens Premier League status after a tough season and a bad run-in last year. Parker’s team are in their first final since winning the trophy in 1992/3.
Aveley are currently in a dreadful run of form. Since an eight game unbeaten run, including the victory over Billericay, between 8th February and 4th March, culminating in a 2-0 win at Leyton Pennant, they have now not won in five, including home reverses against Berkhamstead Town and Northwood, plus a 2-1 defeat at lowly Wivenhoe Town at the weekend. As a result they are entrenched in mid-table, 11th and a mighty 28 points from League leaders Northwood.
Chelmsford find themselves in a similar position to last year. At the moment they are 12th in a division of 22, some seven points above the four-team drop zone with nine games left. A poor run could see them plummet towards relegation again, but as they are 27 points from leaders Tamworth, there is only the most minute mathematical possibility of promotion to the Conference. Worse still, just days after their semi final win against the Shrimpers at New Lodge, City voluntarily withdrew from the Dr. Martens League Cup after an ineligible player, Phil Dean, scored both of the Clarets goals in a 2-1 win over Crawley Town.
Tonight, Chelmsford will have a wealth of experience to call upon. The likes of Mike Basham, Garry Cross and Dale Watkins all have Football League experience, the middle one of course with Southend United. Back in those days, Cross was a right-back, but now he has been converted into an attacking winger for City. The ex-United player has scored in every round of this years’ Senior Cup that he has played in, although he missed the victory over his old team through injury. The Aveley team is less easy to predict and know, so we will all have to wait and see what sort of team they produce upon arrival.
Entry to the match has been set by the Essex County Football Association at £8, with kick-off at 7.45 p.m.
Chelmsford City Squad: Mike Basham, Steve Bennett, Steve Butterworth, Simon Clarke, Ian Cousins, Garry Cross, Phil Dean, Barry Lakin, George Lay, Paul Nicholls, Lewis Read, Mike Rutherford, Tony Samuels, Keith Sharman, Danny Slatter, Brian Statham, Gareth Street, Dale Watkins, Ian Wiles.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Steve Ruberry (Ilford)
Assistant Referees: James Bavister and Andrew Snell
Fourth Official: Malcolm Pond
Ruberry is a regular on the Essex non-League circuit, and indeed has taken charge of some of Southend’s games in the Essex Senior Cup in the past. He has also been called upon to run the line in Nationwide League Division Three games at Roots Hall, meaning that he will be a familiar face to some of those present.
TEAM FORM
Chelmsford City
D1-1 (home; Welling United; Dr. Martens League Premier Division; Berkley)
W3-1 (away; Weymouth; Dr. Martens League Premier Division; Samuels, Slatter, Cross)
L1-2 (home; Cambridge City; Dr. Martens League Premier Division; Samuels)
L1-2 (home; Havant & Waterlooville; Dr. Martens League Premier Division; Watkins)
D2-2 (away; Hednesford Town; Dr. Martens League Premier Division; Dean, Rutherford)
Aveley
L1-2 (away; Wivenhoe Town; Ryman League Division One North)
D3-3 (home; Arlesey Town; Ryman League Division One North)
L1-2 (home; Northwood; Ryman League Division One North)
L0-3 (home; Berkhamstead Town; Ryman League Division One North)
D1-1 (away; Slough Town; Ryman League Division One North)
ROUTE TO ROOTS HALL
Chelmsford City
Round Three – Halstead Town (away) – W5-0
Round Four – Canvey Island (away) – W4-1
Round Five – Heybridge Swifts (away) – W2-0
Semi Final – Southend United (home) – W2-0
Aveley
Round Three – Ilford (away) – W3-2
Round Four – Ford United (away) – W3-1
Round Five – Tiptree United (away) – W6-1
Semi Final – Billericay Town (home) – D1-1 (aet; W3-1 on penalties)
Robert Craven