Millers in costly defeat to Needham Market

Although the scoreline says three-nil it really never felt like that as two even teams went head to head in an end to end game.

Millers started the better team as they countered from a long throw from the hosts, but as Jack Stevenson was about to shot the ball bobbled and the chance was gone.

Needham then grew into the game and came within inches of the lead as Michael Brothers chip just went over the bar as he raced threw on goal.

Luke Ingram had two very good chances but couldn't take them, he was first denied by Sammy Knott tackle which deflected the ball behind. Ingram second chance was easily saved by James Marrable.

Alex Stavrinou and Jack Stevenson linked up well, as Stevenson tried to get on the end of the pass he was taken down for a free-kick. Stevenson took it but it went over the bar.

Just as Aveley were taking control of the game, Needham Market took the lead. Played into by the left hand side Sam Newson fires into the bottom corner after good play by Kem Izzett. Needham got in down the Millers right hand side as they seemed to lack cover down that side and Needham took advantage and took the lead. Needham Market 1-0 Aveley FC.

Petrit Elbi was then booked for a fifty/fifty shoulder to shoulder challenge as Westlake went to ground in the corner.

The Millers then should've been on level terms a minute before half time. Ahmed Deen superb delivery caused havoc as Shaun Phillips punched down to Alex Stavrinou whose shot was saved well. Petrit Elbi then pulled the ball back to George Essuman but he fired wide of the target.

Half Time- Needham 1-0 Aveley FC

Aveley came out firing in the second half, the first chance came as Petrit Elbi managed to find space inside the box but was pounced upon. Sammy Knott took the corner, whipped into the middle but no one could get on the end of it.

The Millers came again and Petrit Elbi forces another corner, again Sammy Knott took the corner but again it just wouldn't fall for Aveley and Needham scrambled it away again.

The Millers almost got through on goal again. Petrit Elbi won possession on the edge of the Needham penalty area but he just couldn't release it to the support in Theo Ola and Jack Stevenson, and the danger was gone.

Sammy Knott was then taken off and on came Danny Francis.

Mathias Bakare then surged forward but was hacked down cynically by Ian Westlake who was awarded a yellow card.

Needham then ventured into the Aveley box and forged a corner of their own. The ball was whipped in and James Marrable dos brilliantly to deny Kieran Morphew to keep the score at 1-0.

Mathias Bakare again surged forward on a great run forward but again, worst then the first tackle on him by Ian Westlake again who was already on a yellow card. The management staff of Aveley were animated but the referee was unmoved and only awarded the free kick which was an unbelievable decision not to award a second yellow. Even everyone associated with our hosts stated it was a stonewall second yellow.

Luke Stanley then made an appearance as the Millers had to go for it, he replaced defensive midfielder Billy Holland.

Jack Stevenson then got caught out in the middle of the pitch by you guessed it Ian Westlake who should've been sent off minutes before. Westlake played the ball out right hand side, the ball was crossed into the box and again Sam Newson was there to slam it home. Needham Market 2-0 Aveley FC.

Brian Okwera then was brought on after a long absence from the squad, he replaced Jack Stevenson.

James Marrable then made a world class save. Luke Ingram free-kick about 18 yards out, clipped the top of the wall which sent the ball the other way, and was somehow finger tipped brilliantly wide by James Marrable to deny what would've been a ridiculous score line.

Two-Nil was a harsh score but it got worse for the Millers as Mathias Bakare diverted the ball into his own net after poor communication between the defender and goalkeeper as Marrable came to collect at the same time Bakare passed it back to him and ended up into the back of the net. Needham Market 3-0 Aveley FC.

The Millers didn't give up, but it was just one of those days for Aveley as George Essuman was sent off after he tripped Michael Brothers who was bearing down on goal.

The Millers will have to lick their wounds quickly as (weather depending) as we will play Billericay Town in the Essex Senior Cup Semi Final.

Millers X11- Marrable, Bakare, Knott (Francis), Baker, Essuman, Deen, Ola, Holland (Stanley), Petrit Elbi, Jack Stevenson (Brian Okwera), Alex Stavrinou

Unused Subs- Lewis Rowland, Arian Retkoceri