JOEL BARNETT’s first competitive goal was enough for the Millers to take a narrow win over rivals Concord Rangers in a tightly contested affair at Thames Road which could have gone either way.
In the Concord line-up was former keeper Adam Rafis who put in another sterling display to hold off the Millers’ attacks.
But it was not all plain sailing for Aveley as Concord had several close chances but were either denied by keeper James Marrable or the woodwork.
The first half started off end to end, but with little action and the first twenty minutes came and went with few chances.
Then the game burst into life, with Concord on top. Former Miller Bradley Walsh went close after seeing his header cleared off the line, a lucky escape for the visitors.
Finally the Millers’ found away past a rigid back line and almost found the net, Ben Bradbury’s teasing delivery found skipper John Maskell in the box who clipped the header goal wards only to be denied by Rafis’s outstretched hand.
But a minute later and Aveley were in front. Bradley Barnes’s cross from the left fell to Joel Barnett on the edge of the area and the striker duly dispatched the ball into the back of the net.
Rafis again had to have his wits about it and pushed Barnes’s effort wide of the target.
The second half came, and so did the rain but it did not dampen an eventful half.
Walsh continued to be the most likely to score for the hosts and again connected with a thunderous header but it just rose over the bar.
Up the other end, John Maskell had a long range effort and with the aid of a huge deflection the Millers mounted the pressure with another corner.
Aveley continued to go in search of the second goal which would seal the win, but found Rafis in fine form, denying Nicky Wettner’s effort, but only pushed it out to substitute Sean Thomas but again Rafis saved.
Rafis again saved from Thomas who found himself one-on-one with Rafis but failed to make Concord pay.
And they almost did in the dying minutes when sub Andy Hughes’s out swinging delivery found the head of that man Walsh again and this time it thundered back off of the bar, and to Millers’ fortune, clear from danger to give the Millers the three points.
Aveley: James Marrable, Glen Golby, Sam Holloway, Christian Wheeler, John Maskell, Sean Francis, Ben Bradbury (Gary Skerritt 81), Nicky Wettner, Joel Barnett (Sean Thomas 68), Petrit Elbi, Bradley Barnes.
Subs not used: Wayne Vaughan, Paul White, Joao Carlos