Brightlingsea Regent vs Aveley

Aveley controlled the first half without finding the net until the 42nd minute, when Gipson broke the deadlock to send the visitors into the break 1-0 up.

The floodgates opened after half-time. M. Booth doubled the lead in the 53rd minute, and Gipson struck twice more in quick succession — completing his treble with goals in the 63rd and 67th minutes to make it 4-0.

C. Harris added a fifth in the 85th minute, and Brightlingsea finally replied through L. Terminiello two minutes later, but it was little more than a consolation on a difficult afternoon for the hosts.

Jonathan North's save in the first half kept the score at 0-0 when Brightlingsea had a one-on-one chance. Speaking after the match, Munyard described it as a pivotal moment.

"The first save is massive because, although we were very, very dominant, we haven't took them chances and then we make a little bit of a mistake or a big mistake and the keeper goes through one-on-one and to be fair to Northy, it's an unbelievable save and not many keepers would have saved it."

That save kept Aveley level, and Gipson's opener three minutes before half-time gave the visitors the platform they needed.

J. Gipson (Aveley) — Player of the match. A second-half hat-trick (42', 63', 67') that turned a tight game into a rout. His movement and finishing were a constant threat.

Jonathan North (Aveley) — Back after six months out, the goalkeeper made a crucial first-half save from a one-on-one with the score at 0-0. Munyard described it as "an unbelievable save."

M. Booth (Aveley) — Scored the second goal in the 53rd minute that broke Brightlingsea's resistance after the restart.

C. Harris (Aveley) — Returned to the pitch and capped the performance with a goal in the 85th minute.

Aveley's 5-1 victory was built on a dominant second-half display. After a 1-0 half-time lead, the Millers scored four times in a 32-minute spell (53' to 85'), with three of those goals arriving in a 14-minute blitz (53' to 67'). The scoreline reflected a gulf in intensity and sharpness rather than a narrow contest — Brightlingsea's only goal came at 5-0 down, a late consolation from a defensive error.

Aveley have now scored 10 goals across their last two pre-season fixtures (3-2 vs Braintree Town on 18 July and 5-1 here), suggesting Munyard's side are hitting form at the right time.

This was a pre-season friendly for both sides, with the emphasis on fitness and minutes rather than the result. Aveley's 2026-27 campaign will see them compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division, while Brightlingsea Regent will play in the Isthmian League North.

Aveley's pre-season form has been mixed — they lost 2-4 to Leiston on 10 July and beat Braintree Town 3-2 on 18 July — but this performance showed signs of the intensity Munyard wanted. "I thought first half, even though it was only 1-0 at half time, I thought we were excellent," he said. "Our intensity was a lot better than what it has been."

Brightlingsea, who had won three and drawn two of their six pre-season games before this fixture, will look to regroup before the season begins.

Aveley's first game on grass this pre-season produced their most complete performance. Gipson's hat-trick, North's return in goal, and a much-improved intensity suggest the Millers are heading in the right direction. Brightlingsea will treat this as a useful workout against higher-level opposition.