Millers Held at Parkisde

Just 48 hours after we took on National League Notts County in the FA Trophy, The Millers welcomed Brentwood Town to Parkside managed by former Miller Adam Flanagan. The visitors also had eight ex-Millers in their squad including; Tim Brown, Conor Mead, Adam topley, Jack Edwards, Reggie Hubbard, Andy Freeman, Rovie Rees and Marcus Elliott.

The Millers made one change going into the game with Connor Witherspoon out for George Allen who slotted in centre half with Jack Mochalski going centre midfield alongside James Goode.

The visitors had the first half chance of the game as a set-piece took a couple of deflection before being hooked up and away by Harry Gibbs and then claimed by David Hughes.

We though we had taken the lead on four minutes as George Sykes flicked a ball over the top for Alex Akrofi, Akrofi finished with a fine chip over the on-rushing Tim Brown, but the linesman had his flag raised for offside.

The visitors almost had another chance with a huge slice of furtune, a shot from George Sykes ricochet off a Jack Kemsley into the path of Andy Freeman who was free baring down on the goal, he seemed to get his feet muddle up and the ball was eventually won back and cleared away by Sam Mvemba.

Jason Raad tested the former Aveley-shotstopper Tim Brown who palmed around a long ranged drive of Raad's around the post for a corner, the resulting corner was comfortably headed away at the near post.

Alex Akrofi was next to be denied by Tim Brown, instead of his hands Brown used his legs to just about get away a goalbound effort.

Just before the half hour mark and the visitors had a little let off. A looping header from Alex Akrofi was caught and took over his own line by Tim Brown under pressure from George Sykes, but Sykes was adjudged to have challenged for the ball unfairly and the free-kick was Brentwood's.

Wyan Reid hit a rapsing outside of the right foot shot which was curling back in at the near post but for the fingertip intervention of Tim Brown who was keeping us out.

We should've taken the lead in the next few passages of play. George Sykes was denied again by Tim Brown who dived to his left, the corner was played short as Alex Akrofi drove it into the six yard box, it found George Allen who couldn't apply the finish as the ball went a whisker wide of the right hand post.

Half Time | Aveley 0-0 Brentwood Town.

Seven minutes into the second half and David Hughes was forced into his first save of the game as Andy Freeman tested him at his near post, but the shot was saved comfortably.

With thirty minutes to go The Millers were so close from taking the lead, Alex Akrofi smartly turned on the half way line leaving two players for dead, James Hammond recovered brilliantly to hunt down Alex Akrofi to force the striker into taking his shot early, unfortunately for us the effort was just wide of the left hand post.

On the 68th minute, the Millers were denied a penalty, Alex Akrofi was taken down inside the area by Hammond, the referee blew his whistle, everyone expecting the penalty but the foul was adjudged to have been committed outside of the box, rather than the metre it actually was inside the box. Jason Raad stepped up to take the free-kick but couldn't find the target.

Aveley fans were left bemused and Gaffer Keith Rowland was handed a yellow card after a throw-in decision inexplicable went against the Millers which added to the increasing frustration.

Tom Richardson came on with thirteen minutes to go and instantly made an impact linking with Alex Akrofi and taking aim at goal, he just couldn't get enough power on it to get it past Tim Brown who was well behind the shot.

The game somehow had seven yellow cards, where really there wasn't any anomosity in the game, maybe one bad tackle which saw Jay Bacon carded when he came in from behind and took out Wyan Reid. Jason Raad was booked after being fouled, Alex Akrofi was booked for going for a 50/50 and making no contact with the goalkeeper and George Allen was booked after making minimal contact. Former-Miller Conor Mead was booked for time wasting in the 94th minute of the game. James Goode done a James Goode, and Keith Rowland was awarded his first yellow of the season.

Brentwood showed fighting spirit as they held strong to deny Aveley all three points. A lot of positives for The Millers after the weekend's exploits - just couldn't find the back of the net. We now travel to Soham Town Rangers on Saturday.

Full Time | Aveley 0-0 Brentwod Town.

Attendance | 242.

Millers XI | David Hughes, Jonathan Nzengo, Sam Mvemba, Jack Mochalski (Shad Ngandu 71), Harry Gibbs, George Allen, Wyan Reid (Tony Martin 86), James Goode, George Sykes (Tom Richardson 77), Jason Raad, Alex Akrofi.

Unused Subs | Perry Dunn, Alfie Hilton.

Brentwood Town XI | Tim Brown, Conor Mead, Jay Bacon, James Hammond, Jack Kemsley, Michael Clark, Adam Topley, Jack Edwards, Reggie Hubbard, Andrew Freeman, Robbie Rees (Alan Fleming 66).

Unused Subs | Joe Wicks, Pat Ahern, Marcus Elliott, Jack Dickinson.