Our Velocity Trophy journey began against Romford in what would be our first group stage match of the exciting new format. A brace from Shad Ngandu and a single goal from Alex Read helped the Millers to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Inside five minutes we seemed to have taken the lead through Luke Foster. Alex Akrofi played in Luke Foster who found the bottom corner of the goal but the linesmen had raised his flag to rule the goal out.

Romford's keeper Jack Riddell come off his line a couple of times well to deny both Alex Akrofi and then minutes later Wyan Reid. It looked as if Wyan Reid would get to the ball first but it was well cut out by the Boro keeper.

A lovely ball from Wyan Reid found Jake Pitty down the right-hand side of the pitch who had his dangerous cross put behind for a corner. From the resulting corner kick, Jack Mochalski had a chance but headed just wide of the right-hand post.

With five minutes to go in the first half, we took the lead. Alex Akrofi took the free-kick and picked out Alex Read perfectly who flicked his header into the far post. Aveley 1-0 Romford.

The Millers almost doubled the lead as Alex Akrofi found space for himself in the area, shot from a tight angle but Riddell made a great save to deny him a goal.

Half Time | Aveley 1-0 Romford.

Shortly after the restart, Alex Read tried to get his and our second of the game from a narrow-angle he directed his effort towards goal but on the second attempt, the Boro keeper made the save.

On the 55th minute, Shad Ngandu came on for Millers Captain Connor Witherspoon and had the chance to get his name on the scoresheet after only five minutes on the pitch after Alex Akrofi was taken down in the area. Shad Ngandu stepped up to take the penalty and slotted it into the left-hand side of the goal, sending the keeper the wrong way. Aveley 2-0 Romford.

Fifteen minutes from time and we made the three points secure in the Group Stage of the Velocity Trophy as Shad Ngandu got his second and our third of the game. It was a smart corner from Alex Akrofi who found Jason Raad on the edge of the area, he fired towards goal, it found Shad Ngandu who controlled and smashed it into the roof of the net from close range. Aveley 3-0 Romford.

Full Time | Aveley 3-0 Romford.

Attendance | 75.

Millers XI | David Hughes, Jake Pitty, Sam Mvemba (Jason Raad 64), Connor Witherspoon (Shad Ngandu 55), Jack Mochalski, Harry Gibbs, Wyan Reid, James Love, Alex Read (Reggie Hubbard 64), Luke Foster, Alex Akrofi (Aaron Condon 79).

Unused Subs | George Allen.

Romford XI | Jack Riddell, Nathan Joseph (Joshua Samuels 65), Louis Tiobi, Dilan Thandi, Danny Nesbitt, Derek Ohalem, Jacob Turk (Adeniyi Gbolahan 65), Reece Tranter (George Woodward 65), Jaydon Charles, Billy Stewart, Keiron Owusu.

Unused Subs | Danny Cossington, Harry Aldridge.