Football Aveley 3 Soham Town Rangers 1

Soham’s early season momentum was checked on Monday as they were out-foxed by Aveley.

The Greens recovered from going a goal down early on to match their hosts at half-time but some careless defending in the second half saw Aveley pull clear and take all three points.

Steve Fallon’s side slipped from third in the Ryman League Divison One North down to fourth but will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they travel to Maldon and Tiptree.

There was a warning early on for Soham on Monday when Marcus Elliot headed against a post after evading his marker.

But there was to be no denying Elliot in the 25th minute as he capitalised on a poor clearance to squeeze a shot past Joe Templeman and put the hosts in front.

Soham were unbowed though, and managed to get back on terms in the run up to half-time as Andy Palmer’s shot from the edge of the area deflected past the Aveley goalkeeper The goal galvanised Soham and they were unfortunate not to get into the break ahead as they tore into the Aveley defence. Both Palmer and captain Luke Stanley went clear on goal but inexplicably fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

David Prada also shot wide from close range amid some last-ditch Aveley defending.

The misses were to prove costly for Soham as, shortly after half-time, Aveley’s Danny Francis enjoyed a slice of good fortune as his deflected volley looped over Templeman.

And the points were all but sealed on the hour mark as the lively Elliot bagged his second of the match, squeezing another shot low into the corner.

Soham substitute Daniel Brown had two excellent chances late on but was denied by the hosts goalkeeper, James Marrable.

The Greens come into the game on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat at league leaders Harlow Town. The points were settled in the first half as Harlow’s Alex Reid tucked home from the penalty spot after Victor Torres was adjudged to have handled in the area.