The game started with both teams passing the ball well and it was Rovers who had the better of the opening 15 minutes with Scott Pethers, Jake Gordon and Steve Butterworth managing efforts. Aveley's Billy Coyne signalled his intent keeping Rovers keeper Ryan Emery on his toes on a chilly evening at Burroughs Park. Minutes later, Aveley were first on the scoresheet, with Emery punching a cross from Jack Edwards straight into the path of the lively Michael Toner, who found the corner of the net.

Aveley were on the ascendancy and Rovers struggled to find their feet in the final third. The second goal came in the 38th minute, tricky forward Jeremiah Maja working well down the left and as Toner crossed into the area, Maja was free at the back post but his header was straight at keeper Emery, yet Maja, on the floor at this point, turned well to half volley past the keeper.

Butterworth came close minutes before half time, but Aveley stopper Lamar Johnson was equal to the effort, tipping over the bar.

The second half started with a Billy Coyne shot followed by a Jack Edwards effort as Aveley went looking for a third. The Rovers fightback started justs after the hour, as Steve Butterworth did well to work his way to the byline and fire the ball across the goal for Jake Gordon to tap home. Just three minutes later, Jake Gordon, running goalbound, made his way into the area only for Tommy Spillane to bring the forward down for a penalty. Gordon stepped up and placed the ball to Johnson's left to bring Rovers level.

The turning point of the match came as Rovers continued to press forward and a push on John Easterford in the area by substitute Harry Gibbs was waved away by the referee. The subsequent attack found Toner on the edge of the area and his left footed outswinger was enough to see it past Emery for the goal of the night. The goal, scored during a wobble in the Aveley ranks was enough of a body blow that Rovers struggled to get a foothold again.

The game was put beyond Rovers as Maja played in Tony Jacobs, who's cross was headed home by Adalberto Pinto with less than 5 minutes remaining.