Millers defeat Canvey

Goals from Marcus Milner and Sam Mvemba helps to secure points on a wet and windy Monday Night Football.

Both teams, staff and fans battled with rain and wind on Monday night football at Parkside where in the end goals from Marcus Milner and Sam Mvemba sealed a vital three points for the Millers who now join Bowers & Pitsea and Coggeshall United on 28 points, but remain in third on goal difference.

We had to weather the storm early on as Canvey were largely on top as they looked to put the wrongs right after suffering back to back defeats and they had decent chances to go ahead in this one.

Canvey's latest new signing Adam Vyse looked to have scored from a corner, the ball landed to him inside the six yard box and after a goalmouth scramble the Millers managed to somehow survive and get the ball away.

Canvey's captain then had a go from long range as he curled the ball towards the goal, but it went wide of David Hughes right hand post. Minutes later Ashley Miller crossed well for Adam Vyse who just couldn't get on the end of the cross.

On the 17th minute, the Millers come alive into the game and with our first chance almost scored. Marcus Milner and Shad Ngandu combined well to set up Alex Akrofi who just couldn't shift the ball across to his right foot to hook it into the goal and it went behind for a goal kick.

We looked like we were about to score on the 30 minute, a lovely ball in from Sam Mvemba found Tom Richardson, who did well getting to the ball, who headed the ball an inch wide of the right hand post.

Marcus Milner tested Canvey's keeper Palmer, but he did just enough to deny Milner with a fingertip save. Alex Akrofi and shad Ngandu both then tried their luck from outside the area, but both efforts went over the bar.

Five minutes before half time the Millers had their lead. Canvey gave the ball away poorly in their final third, Alex Akrofi played it to Tom Richardson who shifted it across to Marcus Milner who fiercely struck the ball into the keepers' bottom right hand corner to send the Millers infront. Aveley 1-0 Canvey Island.

Half Time | Aveley 1-0 Canvey Island.

The Millers seemed to grow in confidence in the second half and the work rate was high across the whole team and it seemed just a matter of time before we scored our second.

Tom Richardson helped the ball up well, played it out wide to Sam Mvemba who centered for Andy Freeman who wriggled in the area managed to get his shot off but it spun just over the crossbar.

We didn't have to wait long for our second, and what a brilliant team goal it was. Back line to front in 15 seconds and a wonderfully took goal. Marcus Milner played it inside to Shad Ngandu who drove brilliantly 60 yards before passing it to Sam Mvemba, Sam played a delightful one-two with Tom Richardson who back-heeled it to Sam Mvemba who took the shot first time on his right foot to score his first senior goal as he curled it into the bottom left hand corner. Aveley 2-0 Canvey Island.

The Millers kept the pressure up as Palmer was forced into a couple more saves, first pushing away a Shad Ngandu free-kick and then a long range effort from Tom Richardson.

Canvey began to throw a lot forward at the Millers and had a few chances with ex-Miller Martin Tuohy finding the side netting on one occasion and heading wide from close range.

David Hughes was called into action in the 85 minute as a cross almost went straight into the top right hand corner but Hughes' did well to tip it behind for a corner.

As the clock ticked into 90 we had a chance to add another goal, Tom Richardson chested the ball down to Alex Akrofi who twisted and turned onto his right foot but fired the ball just over the bar.

Full Time | Aveley 2-0 Canvey Island.

Attendance | 252.

Millers XI | David Hughes, Jake Pitty, Sam Mvemba, James Love, Connor Witherspoon, Sam Cross, Marcus Milner (Adam Topley 81), Shad Ngandu (Jason Raad 86), Tom Richardson (Tony Martin 90), Andy Freeman, Alex Akrofi.

Unused Subs | Harry Gibbs, Reggie Hubbard.

Canvey Island XI | Harry Palmer, Ashley Miller, Jordan Brown, James White, George Allen, Joe Figura, Jack Simmon (Jaedon Phillips 73), Sam Collins, Adam Vyse (Martin Tuohy 66), Frankie Merrifield, Josh Hutchinson (Marlon Agyakwa 44).

Unused Subs | Frankie Stone, Ryan Melaugh.