It was a rather disappointing game at Bridge Avenue for the Millers, despite a brilliant following on a cold, wet and windy Friday Night so close to Christmas, the Millers fell short after a 3-1 defeat.

It was unfortunately a one sided match in which the Millers never really got started. The first half chance of the game however did fall to us, Hornchurch keeper Sam Mott fluffed his clearance, it came to Jack Edwards but he dragged his effort wide of the Urchins right hand post.

After that chance Hornchurch slowly started to turn the heat up on us. Abs Thompson and Leon McKenzie combined to set up the former but his effort was deflected a whisker over the bar by Nick Skelton.

Hornchurch's top goal scorer was next to try his luck, Leon McKenzie ran through on goal but thankfully chipped his effort wide of our right hand post. Moments later Ross Wall crossed in from the left to find Abs Thompson but his sliding effort at the back post was high and wide.

That relentless pressure continued from the hosts as Abs Thompson fired a shot low and hard but Lamar Johnson was on hand to save superbly with his legs to deny Hornchurch the lead.

But that defiance didn't last long enough, a cross from the left hand side by Junior Luke found Leon McKenzie on his own and he tapped home unmarked. The Millers called for offside, but it never came. AFC Hornchurch 1-0 Aveley.

The travelling Millers would've hoped that goal would act as a wake up call and it did straight away, with our second corner of the game, Billy Coyne floated in a beautiful floated cross and it was met by a thunderous header into the top corner by Mason Bloomfield for his fourth goal in three game since joining the Millers. AFC Hornchurch 1-1 Aveley.

Unfortunately that goal really was as good a the game got for us, we needed to hold off until half time but Hornchurch re-took the lead within minutes of our equaliser. A free-kick from Abs Seymour was on a six-pence for Kenzer Lee to head home unmarked six yards out. AFC Hornchurch 2-1 Aveley.

A minute before the end of the half the hosts scored again. And again it was another really sloppy goal for us to concede. A ball up the wing to Jordan Peart was lost and as Abs Thompson sprinted down our left hand side to the byline he pulled it back to Leon McKenzie who bagged his second of the game and Hornchurch's third with a simple finish into the bottom left hand corner. AFC Hornchurch 3-1 Aveley.

Half Time | AFC Hornchurch 3-1 Aveley.

Millers welcomed back Jeremiah Maja to the pitch as he came on returning from his injury. We started to probe Hornchurch early on but just couldn't grab the game and take control of the match.

Jed Chouman tried his luck from long range to extend the hosts lead but it was matched by a good save from Lamar Johnson. Abs Seymour whipped in a free-kick deep into our box which was met by Nathan Cooper who somehow missed his chance from a few yards out when it perhaps looked easier to score.

From our free-kick Hornchurch countered and almost got their fourth of the match. Alex Bentley ran the full length of the pitch, laid it back to Ross Wall whose chipped effort was cleared off the line well by Jordan Peart.

Millers keeper Lamar Johnson made another couple of important saves as he first kept out Jed Chouman's effort and then tipped over a close range Kenzer Lee effort.

Michael Toner had an effort from the edge of the area but all the sting was taken out of the shot after a couple of deflections made the save for Sam Mott easy in the end.

The Millers kept on trying but nothing was falling for us in what was an uncharacteristic performance, but we will bounce back with our game next Friday at Mill Field, the last of the year, so get on down and cheer us on against Haringey Borough.

Full Time | AFC Hornchurch 3-1 Aveley.

Millers XI | Lamar Johnson, Billy Coyne, Joe Clark (Ross Gleed 71), Dan Odamo (Gaz Dauti 65), Tommy Spillane, Nick Skelton, Jack Edwards (Jeremiah Maja 45), Adalberto Pinto, Mason Bloomfield, Michael Toner, Jordan Peart.

Unused Subs | Daniel McCullock, Harry Gibbs.

AFC Hornchurch XI | Sam Mott, Alex Bentley, Jandir Da Cruz, Kenzer Lee, Nathan Cooper, Jed Chouman, Abs Thompson (Joey May 85), Abs Seymour, Leon McKenzie (James Morrish 90), Ross Wall (Gary Cohen 80), Junior Luke.

Unused Subs | Elliot Styles, Artyon Coley.