It was the perfect start from the Millers to put them ahead against a real tough outfit in Basildon, Alex Akrofi got the ball into Tom Richardson, from a tough angle and with the position of the ball behind Tom, he flicked the ball past the keeper into the near post to put the Millers ahead inside 30 seconds. Aveley 1-0 Basildon.

The quality of this game was definitely affected by the swirling winds with both teams struggling at times in the conditions. Inside ten minute it looked like we might have been awarded a spot kick, Tom beat the defender to the ball who swiped to kick the ball away, it look like he caught Tom but the calls for the penalty were instantly shut down by the referee.

Sam Mvemba was dangerous down the left hand side, and made a great run on the 20th minute as he got in behind the Basildon right back, but fantastic covering from Basildon centre half meant that Sam couldn't really get the desired connection on the shot to get it past Connor Wheatley in the Bees goal.

The Millers were to regret those half chances and slight dominance in the game, as on 23 minutes the visitors got a goal out of nothing. After poor defending as we just didn't clear our lines when we could've the ball found it's way to Eljay Worrell with just David Hughes to beat and he slipped it past the keeper. Aveley 1-1 Basildon.

Alex Akrofi played well and just looks to be getting better game after game as he got in behind the defence but his effort at goal was blocked by the legs of Connor Wheatley.

Half Time | Aveley 1-1 Basildon.

The visitors started the second half strongly, Brian Moses looked a constant danger, after a few half chances aimed towards goal by Darren Phillips and Oli Spooner, both shots lacked the sting needed to get past David Hughes who made the saves from both efforts. Brian Moses had a great chance after he used his pace and power to get past Sam Cross, but Moses could only drags his shot wide of David Hughes' left hand post.

After that five minutes of pressure we came back with a flurry of great chances, and somehow we didn't find ourselves in front.

Tom Richardon first latched onto a cross by Alex Akrofi, Tom looked destined to score but somehow Connor Wheatley got something on it to take it for a corner. Straight from the corner George Doyle cracked the crossbar and eventually fell to Andy Freeman whose fantastic effort was tipped over the bar.

From that corner Connor Wheatley was flying across his goal as he tipped a goalbound George Doyle effort wide of the post.

On 75 minutes we were denied yet again by Wheatley, the ball seemed to get held by the wind and just wouldn't come down for Richardson, he finally got his shot off but it was well saved by the Basildon shot stopper.

With ten minutes left the Millers got themselves ahead, the ball landed to Tom Richardson about 12 yards out, Wheatley came but couldn't get the ball off of Tom, Richardson could've laid it off to Alex Akrofi, but he opted to go himself and back-heeled it into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. Aveley 2-1 Basildon.

Basildon through the kitchen sink at the Millers, but some fantastic and brave defending and great command of his area by David Hughes was enough to edge this narrow encounter.

Full Time | Aveley 2-1 Basildon United.

Millers XI | David Hughes, James Love, Sam Cross, George Doyle, Harry Gibbs, Joe Elliott (Marcus Milner 74), Sam Mvemba, Connor Witherspoon (Shad Ngandu 88), Tom Richardson, Andy Freeman, Alex Akrofi (Alex Teniola 90).

Unused Subs | Chris Bourne, Reggie Hubbard.

Basildon United XI | Connor Wheatley, Conor Mead, Joe Burgess, Charlie Kendall (Olumide Quadri 71), Joe Turpin (Jack Adlington-Pile 54), Darren Phillips, Fahad Nyanja, Tom Barton, Brian Moses, Oliver Spooner, Eljay Worrell (Remi Nelson 69).

Unused Subs | (They used them all).

Attendance | 188.