Aveley v WFC - Match Thread

[Keithsson]

On the road again...

Match Centre - Link

Match Tickets - Aveley FC Ticketing

Coach/Minibus - WFCSA Travel

Ground guide - Footballgroundmap.com

We suffered our first defeat of the season, indeed our only non-winning performance of the first six games, against 'The Millers' back in August. It lives longest in the memory for the now infamous 'free kick for encroachment' moment. Its a recurring theme but even within this season the turnover/unavailability of players means only four of the starting X1 that day started for us against Torquay.

WFC v Aveley (highlights) - YouTube

In their first season in the NLS Aveley have performed much like we did as debutants last season, started strong dropped away by only a fraction but are back into the play-off picture. They are currently 5th with 46 points from 30 games, we are 2nd with 53/30.

NLS table - Link

The overall form table is pretty similar to the league table for both clubs. We are 3rd with 13 points from the last available 18 and Aveley are 7th (11/18). The home and away form pictures however couldn't be more different. Over the last six games we are the 5th best away side with 10/18 whereas The Millers are right down in 22nd spot with just five points over their last six home games. And even those points won aren't exactly eyebrow raising... a 2-1 win against Dover and a pair of 'Desmonds' against Welling and Chippenham. The other three games they lost, to Chelmsford, Farnborough and Slough.

NLS Form (last 6 H&A) - Link

So whisper it quietly, but bring our A game and we should be heading to Essex as favorites!... Its never that straightforward though.

And to see why its not straightforward we need only look at the squad, its not exactly a settled side at the moment. With Odei, Joe Rye and Nicky Wheeler unavailable, that's three of (arguably) the top five performers for us all season missing, hopefully no more will be added to the list. Kane returns to availability I believe but at the time of writing we are yet to hear confirmation if Josh Jeffries has had his initial one month loan deal from Southampton extended or not.

All Saturday fixtures...

Aveley v Worthing
Bath City v Eastbourne Borough
Braintree Town v Dover Athletic
Farnborough v Dartford
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Truro City
Havant & Waterlooville v Chelmsford City
Maidstone United v Yeovil Town
Slough Town v Weston-super-Mare
Tonbridge Angels v Chippenham Town
Torquay United v St Albans City
Welling United v Taunton Town
Weymouth v Hemel Hempstead Town

Safe travel to all heading up and come on you Rebels!                    

[rebellious]

Aveley - Now there's a club punching above their weight.

[dutchboy74]

My understanding is that Josh Jeffries will stay a bit longer with us. I was talking to his dad on Saturday. But then again in football things can change very quickly.

[Bally]

Important game this, especially after Chelmsford drew Monday and HRBFC lost last night. Can't help but feel we gave them 3 points at home too so be nice to put in a solid performance for the win.

A second place finish in the league (Yeovil are too far ahead imo) and home draws in the play offs would be ideal for the club. I know we can perform better, but can we do it more consistently than Chelmsford because I think they are our biggest challengers!

[Keithsson]

By default I take a 'one game at a time' stance Bally, but it's funny you mention Chelmsford. I haven't looked all season at the PPG and predicted finish table but I did this morning while doing the Aveley preview...

NLS PPG Table - Link

So, given how we're shading them by a gnat's pube on PPG... what possible formula is at play that could possibly give a predicted finish like this...

NLS Predicted Finish Table - Link

Bizarre, but definitely getting ahead of ourselves 😉

[worthingwire]

Jan 31, 2024 21:22:59 GMT Keithsson said:

By default I take a 'one game at a time' stance Bally, but it's funny you mention Chelmsford. I haven't looked all season at the PPG and predicted finish table but I did this morning while doing the Aveley preview...

NLS PPG Table - Link

So, given how we're shading them by a gnat's pube on PPG... what possible formula is at play that could possibly give a predicted finish like this...

NLS Predicted Finish Table - Link

Bizarre, but definitely getting ahead of ourselves 😉

Yeovil have currently lost 3, the prediction is that they will lose a further 5. We have lost 9, and are predicted to lose just once more. Chelmsford have lost 6 are and slated to finish the season on 6 defeats. I want some of what these guys are smoking. 

[Keithsson]

Hinsh pre Aveley - YouTube

[saintsfan2009]

Laddo has got his head screwed on right. His girlfriend drove him up to Lakeside this afternoon, staying in a hotel in the area overnight. Saturday afternoon, girlfriend goes shopping in Lakeside. Laddo walks to Aveley FC to see his beloved Worthing play. A perfect result for them both, hopefully even better come 5 o'clock tomorrow.

[Keithsson]

Choppers out...

...put it away, that's the team news not a group instruction 🤭

Twitter/X

[broadwaterred82]

Great 3 points and clean sheet on the road against a tough opponent.

Ollie is unstoppable 25 for the season so far! The way he is going , I wouldn't put it past him breaking his tally from last season. He is such an assett !

Well done fellas 👍

On a side note great to hearing Odi assistant commentator alongside Pete on RY.

Top chap👍

[Keithsson]

Just imagine what numbers Ollie could be on had he not been sidelined up top for Greg Luer at the start of the season.

Listened to the game while watching Chi v East Grinstead. No disrespect to them but watching Joe Clark, Conrad Honore, Jimmy Wild and Mo Jammeh made me appreciate how far we have progressed, and relatively quickly.

Great result that, especially with Yeovil and Chelmsford losing. We stay 2nd but pull the rope ladder up a bit from below whilst getting the gap to top spot down to 10 points... we couldn't... could we?

NLS Table - Link

[topbloke]

Sadly just highlights the stupidity of sitting him on the bench . 😷

[Bally]

Good result considering they disrupted us quite effectively again today. The game felt very 'pre-season' - not many in the crowd and disjointed BUT the cream always rises to the top and we only needed to be patient before quality shows. The timing of the first 2 goals were important. 1st just before half time (Willard) and the 2nd (Pearce) during a very scrappy period where either team could have scored.

Felix was excellent again, turning over possession every 5 minutes, Jeffries looked solid, Alfie Young has settled confidently and Klass continues to develop in that central role. Lots of positives despite the penalty decision at the end. How the ref gave that I don't know!

Decent clubhouse and new ground but worst food ever. Up the rebels!

[Kenty in Weardale]

Reaction from Adam to the game here

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciwKYricOOs

[saintsfan2009]

Laddo back home. Said it was an average game but 3 points all the same. He agrees about the clubhouse and ground but said that his loaded chips with cheese and chilli con carne was well nice.