A game of two halves

On what was a very difficult pitch to try and play football on, the Millers at the end of the game might have felt as if they could've maybe should've come away from the game with all three points.

The first action of the game came from Great Wakering (GW), their best player on the day Billy Radley caused problems throughout the whole game down the Millers left hand side, but fortunately Radley's shot was wide and was covered by James Marrable.

In the early stages of the game, GW's player/manager Trenkel I,posed himself into the game as he seemed to introduce wrestling and strong tackles on Petrit Elbi, Mathias Bakare and Alex Stavrinou, however he was unpunished by the referee.

Aveley's first chance arrived when Sammy Knott exchanged passes with Petrit Elbi, but his shot was blocked wide for a corner, but the corner was easily cleared.

Tyler Devlin during the game brought a type of physicality which we had lacked in previous games. A defensive mistake by Rovers let him in but he decided to chip the keeper, but that went wide of the target.

GW started to grow into the game, Nash managed to get Rovers first real shot on target after he brought the ball down well on his chest, he got his shot off, Marrable fumbled but recovered well.

Rovers continued to pile on pressure, but both of their chances were cleared, first by Sammy Knott and then by Junior Baker.

The breakthrough finally happened as the ball was crossed into Radley, he headed it against the underside of the bar but it was tapped in by Eljay Worral from a yard out. GW 1-0 aveley.

It then got a lot worse for the Millers as Alex Stavrinou landed awkwardly and Avely were forced into a chance, Danny Hopkins replaced him.

Rovers capitalised on sloppy play and doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, the ball was recycled by Johnson who played a good ball into Billy Radley who bicycle kicked it into the bottom corner. GW 2-0 aveley.

Half Time- GW 2-0 AVELEY.

Millers changed formation at the start of the second half as it worked.

Petrit Elbi caused problems for GW, but every time a Miller got through, every shot was blocked. Elbi then created a great opportunity for Tyler Devlin but his left footed shot went over the bar.

On the Millers next attack, one was pulled back. Mathias Bakare took the free kick, Spencer Harrison helped the ball on to Marcus Elliott who turned the ball in. gw 2-1 AVELEY.

The Millers made another substitution as Petrit Elbi was replaced by Danny Francis, who brought pace into the game.

Just five minutes later Danny Francis was instrumental in the equaliser, his fantastic pin point cross landed on Marcus Elliott who directed the ball into the bottom corner to pull Millers level. gw 2-2 AVELEY

Millers went for it as they brought on last season top scorer, Kyle Asante. He was involved straight away as Marcus Elliott pulled the ball across to him, but on his left foot he couldn't convert the ball and it went over the bar.

Millers continued to pile on the pressure, Teddy Nesbitt played a great ball into the middle of the area, it went behind Marcus Elliott, it landed to Mathias Bakare, but he failed to connect with it properly, and was an East save for the keeper.

GW themselves could've won it as they had two simple chances, but somehow both players managed to miss the target from inside the six yard box.

An Aveley free kick was the closest the Millers came to taking all three points, Junior Baker was wrestled to the floor but he still managed to get his header away but it cracked the bar, and somehow the linesman and referee didn't see the rugby tackle to award a stonewall penalty.

The Millers did have one last chance as Danny Francis got through but his foot just got stuck in the ground and the chance was lost.

Man of the match- Marcus Elliott.

Full Time- Great Wakering 2-2 Aveley FC.