Millers end winless run

A fully deserved win for the Millers against a tough Needham Market side who had won all of their away games, but came unstuck at Mill Field.

The Millers looked very comfortable in the early stages, with both teams going full blooded in this fast paced encounter. Marrable had the first save to make as Ingrams shoot/cross could've krept in, but for good positioning by James Marrable.

Daniel Francis had a good game as he used his trickery and pace, as he dances through three players, he managed to pass ball out wide to Paul Preston, but his long range effort this time was easily saved by Shaun Phillips.

Luke Ingram was definitely the main threat for Needham Market as he managed to get in behind, but for a great tackle by Junior Baker, denying Ingram to put a dangerous ball into the six yard box.

Aveley attacked soon after and managed to take the lead. Lee Weemes held the ball up brilliantly, and he played a superb ball out wide to Paul Preston, Paul came inside onto his left foot, striked the ball, it deflected off Needham defender, which wrong footed Phillips, and found the back of the net. AVELEY FC 1-0 Needham Market.

Only three minutes had passed and the Millers somehow survived a huge scare, a corner from the far side came in, and almost found its way into the top corner but for a good interception by Marrable to tip it over for another Market corner. That corner was whipped into the front post but the header at the near post by Westlake went right across the front of the goal, and was eventually cleared by Spencer Harrison, somehow it stayed 1-0.

The Millers then soon doubled their lead, Petrit Elbi with a fantastic run right through the heart of the Market defence, untouched by any defenders, and he was allowed time when he was one-on-one with Phillips to switch the ball to his right foot, and squeeze it under the keeper into the back of the net. AVELEY FC 2-0 Needham Market.

Aveley could've scored a lot more with chances for Lee Weemes and Billy Holland, within the space of minutes. Alex Stavrinou put in a superb cross, right on the head of Lee Weemes, but his header was straight at Shaun Phillips. Billy Holland had a great chance, after good work by Petrit Elbi and Danny Hopkins, setting up the cross for Billy Holland, who just volleyed over the bar.

Needham weren't out of this game just yet, Ian Westlake had a long range strike which looked to be sneaking in at the front post, but again was dealt with well by James Marrable. The subsequent corner was headed over the bar again by Westlake, and the score stayed 2-0.

Aveley countered well as Petrit Elbi waited for support to join him in the box, he managed to find a cross to Danny Hopkins, but he also volleyed over the crossbar.

Needham then made a change in the 39th minute as their number four went off and Ace Powell came on. He looked threatening throughout the game, with his pace and confidence on the ball.

Half Time- AVELEY FC 2-0 Needham Market.

Needham came out firing in the second half but came unstuck against a superb Aveley defence. Ingram has the first chance and Ace Howell created the opening, but Ingram could only find the side netting. The next was a good swivel and shot by Newson which brought a diving save out of James Marrable.

The third chance in quick concession came as a ball bounced the the back post to Westlake who looked to be in an offside position, but from two yards out Westlake directed the ball towards the goal, but somehow from nowhere James Marrable pulled a worldie out of the bag to deny Westlake, as James clawed it out of the goal to keep his clean sheet intact.

There was then a stoppage in play because of an injury to a Needham player, so Paul Preston was bouncing the ball ready to take the throw in, he wasn't told to carry on the game by the referee and he continued to wait and bounce the ball, but the referee then booked him for apparent time wasting, silly booking.

Sammy Knott who had played really well came off as he looked like he was going to be sick, and on came Billy Sendall who came in at right back, and Paul Preston swapped to left back position, Billy Sendall made a few very good challenges to help keep the lead intact for the Millers.

Petrit Elbi was then replaced by Marcus Elliott. Marcus was straight into the action as played in a superb ball to Lee Weemes, but Lee's shot just went wide of the target.

And the third and final change that was made was Daniel Francis who went off for Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe.

Four minutes were added on, but Needham Market didn't really threaten after that outstanding save by James Marrable, and that is how the game finished. An overdue three points for the Millers against a very good team.

Full Time- AVELEY FC 2-0 Needham Market.

Millers Lineup- James Marrable 9, Paul Preston 8, Sammy Knott 7 (Billy Sendall 6), Junior Baker 7, Spencer Harrison 7, Danny Hopkins 6, Lee Weemes 8, Billy Holland 6, Petrit Elbi 8 (Marcus Elliott 6), Alex Stavrinou 8, Danny Francis 7 (Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe 6).

Unused subs- Mathias Bakare, Jamie Hursit.