Felixstowe & Walton 2 Aveley 0

East Anglian Daily Times: Jack Spurling pulls off one in a string of fine saves to deny Aveley. Photo: PHIL GRIFFITHSJack Spurling pulls off one in a string of fine saves to deny Aveley. Photo: PHIL GRIFFITHS (Image: Archant)

When Aveley came to town on Saturday, nobody at Felixstowe thought this was going to be easy. And they were right.

This was a tough encounter against a top side but The Seasiders did come away with a 2-0 win and another three points, which put the club in a lofty second place in The Bostik North after four games.

In front of 405 spectators, The Millers impressed from the off but Felixstowe gradually got into the game and went ahead on 35 minutes when Jordy Matthews netted after keeper David Hughes failed to hold, following an effort from Sam Ford.

After the break, the visitors again piled on the pressure but, in the words of Felixstowe joint manager Ian Watson, “Our defence was superb. We defended as a team.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Felixstowe's Jack Ainsley (2) climbs above Alexandra Teniola (11) to head clear. Photo; PHIL GRIFFITHSFelixstowe's Jack Ainsley (2) climbs above Alexandra Teniola (11) to head clear. Photo; PHIL GRIFFITHS (Image: Archant)

Matthews was tireless in midfield, tracking back time after time, contributing to what was an admirable team effort at the back.

It looked like Aveley would level things when they were awarded a penalty with 10 minutes left on the clock, but keeper Jack Spurling kept the dream of three points alive with a superb save

Spurling said, ”I kept my eyes on the ball, Thomas Richardson approached, hesitated, I stood my ground, watched and came out on top.”

Any remaining nerves were soothed when Ford calmly placed the ball beyond keeper Hughes on 90 minutes, giving Felixstowe a more comfortable two-goal lead.

The gloss was taken off the game a little with a straight red card for Ben Clarke shortly before Ford’s goal but, in the end, this was three points for Felixstowe, due in no small part to a determined team effort against a side that Watson felt was “possibly the best team in the league.”

Aveley coach, George Young, said: “On another day we could have come away with a convincing win. But today it just wasn’t to be.”

It’s two weeks now until Felixstowe’s next match, away at another strong side, Bowers & Pitsea. The Seasiders will approach that match in a confident but cautious mood.