The most uncommon result for us is most definitely a 0-0 draw. In fact this is only our third competitive 0-0 since March 2013. And out of the last four 0-0's, two have come against Maldon & Tiptree.

In the last two and only two competitive meetings between us and VCD, we had lost both games, that being in the season in which they were promoted to the Ryman Premier League.

It was a match of few chances and VCD started the game on the front foot. An early shot from Bruce went harmlessly over the crossbar. That chance was followed by good handling from Millers keeper, Lamar Johnson, as he held on well to a dangerous Debele cross.

After the fifteen minute mark, we started to grow into the game as Emmanuel Ighorae carved open an opportunity, but his left footed shot was deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting corner Michael Finneran headed over the bar.

Abs Seymour had a great few chances but was so unlucky not to see the ball end up in the back of the net. The first was a hopeful long ball over the top which caused confusion in the VCD defence, Abs managed to react quickly to get a shot off but it went just wide of the right hand post. And his second chance was after a wonderful ball from Olumide Oluwatimilehin almost found Abs Seymour, but it just wouldn't land for him to tap past Niklas Freund.

Ten minutes later Niklas Freund kept VCD level as he denied Michael Pindy as he raced one-on-one but couldn't concert past the shot stopper. And moments later he saved superbly from a powerful Sherwin Stanley header as he was looking for his sixth goal in three games, but it just wasn't meant to be.

Near the end of the half Abs Seymour had another shot, this time much further out and with his left foot, he curled it towards the far left hand post but it just went a whisker wide.

Half Time | VCD Athletic 0-0 Aveley

The second half was a bit of a drab affair in truth. Billy Coyne defended well as Debele whipped in a dangerous cross to the backstick but Coyney headed away powerfully, and took a bit of a whack in the process.

The only booking of the game came for the hosts as Robbie Rees took down Olumide Oluwatimilehin as he powered away on a dangerous looking break.

VCD definitely had the better of the chances in the second half, but ex-Miller, Mitch Hahn missed his clear cut chance from the edge of the area with the goal wide open, thankfully it went over the bar.

Lamar Johnson was then equal to a long ranged effort from Kris Newby as he tipped it over the crossbar.

Millers had to again thank Billy Coyne as he cleared off the line ten minutes from time. The ball landed to Debele who managed to acrobatically direct it towards the goal but Coyney was in the way to clear the danger and to maintain our clean sheet.

Full Time | VCD Athletic 0-0 Aveley.

Attendance | 62

Millers XI | Lamar Johnson, Billy Coyne, Ajibola Ashanike, Michael Finneran, Frankie Sinclair, Jack Edwards, Olumide Oluwatimilehin, Abs Seymour (C), Sherwin Stanley, Emmanuel Ighorae (Michael Pindy 26), Daniel McCullock (Jordan Peart 90).

Unused Subs | Harry Gibbs, Andreas Tobon, Nathaniel Gordon.

VCD XI | Niklas Freund, Jeffrey Imudia, Ricardo Jospeh, Nicky Symons, Joseph Bruce, Frantz Tchonang, Kris Newby, Mitch Hahn (Harry Brickwood 87), Connor Hogan, Becka-Kah Debele, Robbie Rees.

Unused Subs | Jack Stevenson, Dylan Casey, Grant Brown, Connor Pearce.