In the summer Heybridge were tipped by the bookies to be relegated, but with the budget that Jody Brown had been in-trusted with, he has built a team that will be challenging at the top end of the table. And the Swifts have so far this season showed what kind of team they are by winning all their games so far, making the task all the more difficult for the Millers who were looking to bounce back from defeat to tenants Grays Athletic.
It was a mixed opening exchange between the two sides as they sized each other up. Heybridge has the better of the first half and the early stages as Sam Bantick linked well with striker Luke Callander.
Swifts attacker Luque nearly put the visitors ahead when his volley was well saved by Millers keeper Rhys Madden following Ben Griffiths ball to the far post. This was followed by Guillem Ramon who saw his shot on the run went just wide of the post.
The Millers sat further back and allowed Heybridge time and space and on 34 minutes that cost Aveley dear. Passing and movement saw Sam Bantick shoot from close range, he was denied at first by Rhhys Madden, but the ball fell to Luke Callander 8 yards out, and a player of that quality will not miss from close range as he slotted home the rebound.
Half Time | Aveley 0-1 Heybridge Swifts.
The second half was a different affair and the Millers dominated massively and should've had at least an equaliser in-side the first twenty minutes of the half. First Jack Barry saw his header crash the bar from a corner, second ex-Miller Jack Giddens, who is on loan from Billericay Town, saved superbly from a right wing cross.
Throughout the whole of the second half, the Millers continued to dominate the game but Heybridge held strong. It was a great performance from the Millers, Adalberto Pinto had a glorious chance but he missed an open goal from close range.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
12. | AFC Sudbury | 46 | 59 |
13. | Soham Town Rangers | 46 | 58 |
14. | Aveley | 46 | 57 |
15. | Hertford Town | 46 | 57 |
16. | Grays Athletic | 46 | 56 |
17. | Tilbury | 46 | 56 |
18. | Waltham Abbey | 46 | 49 |