Millers defeated by Spirited Heybridge Swifts

Aveley should remain up-beat after outclassing the opposition in today's Ryman North encounter.

The Millers played superb football and started on top of Heybridge swifts, as we had two superb opportunities.

The first for Marcus Elliott who was tackled well by the covering defender and the chance was gone. Petrit Elbi had the second chance as he turned from his marker and got the shot off but was straight at Sambridge.

But somehow with Heybridge's first shot of the game ex-Miller Aaron Gayle scored an absolute beauty as he hooked the ball over James Marrable's head to send the Swifts into the lead against the run of play. Swifts 1-0 Millers.

The Millers came and levelled straight away, three for Holland in the friendly last week, one away at Chatham week before that, and an absolute pearler one today as it flew over Sambridge's head into the back of the net. Swifts 1-1 Millers.

Aveley improved their game and took full control. Jack Stevenson and Petrit Elbi shared passes and Stevenson smacked the post.

Aveley corner landed to Marcus Elliott who played it back outside to Jack Stevenson, who curled it in and shaved the outside of the post.

Only a stunning save from Sambridge kept the scores level. Theo Ola came inside and curled it beautifully into the top corner, but a fingertip save by Sambridge denied the Millers taking the lead.

But it didn't take long for Aveley to retake the lead as a corner came in from Ahmed Deen, into the back post where Junior Baker headed it in, and Petrit Elbi made sure. Swifts 1-2 Millers.

Millers really should've had a penalty as Elbi then Ola where both rugby tackled to the floor, but the referee was having none of it and waved it away. I haven't really seen clearer penalties then those this season.

With Swifts third shot the squared the game up, Billy Hunt, their only real goal scoring threat turned Spencer Harrison and fired in off the post to send the scores level at half time. Swifts 2-2 Millers.

Half Time - Swifts 2-2 Millers.

Millers then re-took the lead after a stunner from Petrit Elbi who was really superb throughout the game. Good work from Jack Stevenson and Mathias Bakare gave him the ball 25 yards out, and he smashed it to the top bins to send the Millers back infront. Swifts 2-3 Millers.

Theo Ola was the next to attack he cut inside and shot, it was blocked by the hands of the Heybridge centre half but landed straight into the keepers hands, nothing given.

Heybridge then started to put pressure into the Millers back line and Marcus Elliott made a fantastic block which denied a goal scoring chance for the Swifts.

New player Shamido Pedulu had 15 minutes of which five of that was receiving treatment and not being allowed in the pitch after he was stamped on two yards infront of the where the official was standing.

But then as time ticked into the 90th minute, the game descended to anarchy as four minutes were added on.

Two swifts players went down off the ball, Paul Preston had the ball at his feet and the referee stopped the game. So in the laws of the game you kick it back to the team who had possession of the ball. However a drop ball was awarded, Swifts won it, they got in behind and finished well. Swifts 3-3 Millers.

The linesmen then flagged and called the referee over and the referee pulled a red card out for Spencer Harrison and gave Junior Baker a yellow card.

Millers were then down to nine men as Baker was then collided into by the mix of post and Hunt.

But then in the 98th minute, ball played through the Aveley defence to White who was offside as the ball was played, he hit the post and it landed to Billy Hunt who tapped in the winner.

The game finished after 10 minutes of added on time.

Full Time- Swifts 4-3 Millers.