Friday Night Delight

On Friday night football the Millers defeated Witham Town 3-1 after goals from Tom Richardson, Sam Cross and Reggie Hubbard.

We got off to the perfect start in the game where Tom Richardson picked the ball up on the right hand side of the pitch outside the penalty area, fired towards goal and saw his effort fly into the top right hand corner of the net to send us ahead. Witham 0-1 Aveley.

The hosts came back into the back with a scuffed effort which somehow found it's way into the bottom corner of David Hughes' goal. Johnny Ashman had an effort which lacked pace it took a massive deflection off of a Miller and trickled into the goal to put the hosts level. Witham 1-1 Aveley.

Marcus Milner had a glorious chance for the Millers as he fired just wide of the goal from the edge of area. Luke Mallett had a header which didn't trouble the Aveley goal.

Witham had a couple more half chances, a cross that missed everyone and went straight out for a goal kick, Jack Kemsley had an effort deflected wide, and after we had a dangerous free-kick, the hosts countered with Kevin Coyle who took aim from 25 yards and saw his effort go miles over the bar.

The Millers kept plugging away to create chances, and almost went ahead on the 38th minute, Witham centre half Pat Ahern almost scored an own goal, from a set-piece he headed the ball against the post.

Half Time | Witham Town 1-1 Aveley.

The Millers started the second half well, and Andy Freeman had a great chance to put us back ahead but couldn't find the target.

Four minutes into the second half we took the lead, a lovely free-kick came into the box and it was met by Sam Cross who flicked it at the near post and found the goal. Witham 1-2 Aveley.

On the 68th minute Connor Witherspoon was replaced by Harry Gibbs, returning from injury.

For the rest of the game, it was a matter of when we were going to score our third as we dominated the game after scoring our second.

Marcus Milner was dangerous with his pace and he had another chance as his effort was deflected just wide of the keepers left hand post.

Fifteen minutes from time and the Millers made another change with Millers Youth product Reggie Hubbard coming on for his first team competitive debut.

Reggie Hubbard had a fantastic cameo to remember by making a great impact. He came so close to his first goal after he headed just over the crossbar from a Jake Pitty delivery.

Tom Richardson almost grabbed his second of the game as he aimed for the far post but just couldn't get it in. Tom came close again two minutes later but he saw his effort hit the bar and post after brilliant play from Andy Freeman, the post and bar denied Richardson.

Into added on time Reggie Hubbard almost capitalised on a defensive error, he went through on goal but he was denied by Collins who made a smart save. But with virtually the last kick of the game Reggie Hubbard got his first goal, Tom Richardson hit the underside of the crossbar from a free-kick, Reggie Hubbard was the quickest to react running nto the ball to tap it into the goal. Witham 1-3 Aveley.

Full Time | Witham Town 1-3 Aveley.

Attendance | 166.

Millers XI | David Hughes, Jake Pitty, Sam Mvemba, James Love, Connor Witherspoon (Harry Gibbs 66), Sam Cross, Andy Freeman, Adam Topley (Shad Ngandu 61), Tom Richardson, Tony Martin (Reggie Hubbard 75), Marcus Milner.

Unused Sub | George Doyle.

Witham XI | Luca Collins, Luke Mallett, Kevin Coyle, John Watson (Alejandro Seonne-Barber 78), Pat Ahern, Jack Kemsley (Andy Tirivanhu 61), Johnny Ashman, Elias Siligato, Sam Ashford, Sam Owusu, Liam Whipps.

Unused | Jack Isherwood, Alfie Cerrulli, Nathan Cook.