Millers beat Mead in a Christmas cracker

Goals:-
Aveley FC 1-0 (Kyle Asante)

Thamesmead came out the strongest, as they forced two corners after crosses went deep into the box, first was cleared by Soencer Harrison and the next was then cleared by Paul Preston.

Millers were a few players short and we had our assistant manager and goalkeeping coach in the bench ahead of the game against Thamesmead. Mathias Bakare had to fill in at right back and Paul Preston was moved to left back.

Millers came into the game and really should've taken the lead with their first chance. Marcus Elliott beat the Mead keeper to the ball, Marcus pulled it back to Steve Carvell but the keeper recovered and saved well.

James Marrable was easily again a contender for man of the match, when Thamesmead did get in behind, he was quick as lightning coming off his line and saved well time and time again from Gordon-Young and Thompson in quick succession in the first half.

The Millers played good football in spurts. Good football between Steve Carvell and Theo Ola which leads to a free kick on the edge of the area, but Ahmed Deen shot over the bar.

Another free kick was awarded to the Millers. Deen again took it and sent it over to the back post to Junior Baker, his header looked to be going in but for great defending to head the ball away for a corner.

The Millers then took the lead through Kyle Asante, Theo Ola won the ball and moved it onto Kyle Asante who broke through the offside trap and curled it neatly into the bottom corner. Thamesmead 0-1 Aveley FC.

After the goal Thamesmead battled back and another Super Marrable save, saved the Millers as Carter got through on goal but for Marrable coming off his line to deny the striker.

Half Time- Thamesmead 0-1 Aveley FC

Millers didn't really threaten in the second half as Thamesmead penned them in deep in their half.

Thamesmead attacked as the ball was brought down by Tyrus Gordon-Young for Carter but his shot again was saved by James Marrable and cleared.

Mead then had a free kick which was headed behind by Spencer Harrison for a corner. The corner fell down to Thompson but his shot was blocked by Marcus Elliott.

Aryan Retkoceri took a knock with a full bloodied tackle and had to be replaced by Billy Holland.

Tyrus Gordon-Young was Thamesmead's best player on the day and showed that he has already scored 11 goals so far this season as he finished well but was given offside by the linesmen. He finally got through on goal again but his shot was saved by James Marrable, Gordon-Young shot again and Junior Baker cleared off the line.

Thamesmead really should've equalised with another simple chance, Gordon-Young shot was blocked away just wide of the post for a corner. The corner came out to the edge of the area but Carvell through his body in the way of the shot, it went over to Duncan who crossed the ball into the back post and substitute Benner had a free header, two yards out and he somehow headed wide of the target.

Mead came again and this time came within an inch of an equaliser as again laid off by Gordon-Young for Hopkins who fired his shot again the post and out for a goal kick.

Mathias Bakare impressed in his make-shift right back role, he won the ball and bombed forward to the edge of the area, he scooped the ball over two defenders to Kyle Asante, he shot but was saved easily by Rob Budd.

George Essuman then came on for Steve Carvell for the final five minutes of the game.

The time was up but Thamesmead hoofed the ball forward, and it went straight through to James Marrable but the referee awarded a free kick really for nothing. Gordon-Young started to try to get in the Millers wall, after being pushed he reacted and put his hand round Spencer Harrison's neck. The referee calmed the situation down the free kick went straight into the wall and the final whistle blew.

Gordon Young then swung a punch towards one of the Millers, and was sent off after the whistle went. An incident which really clouded what was a really good and entertaining game.

Full Time- Thamesmead 0-1 Aveley FC.