The Millers got their historic first ever Vanarama National South camapaign underway away at Chipppenham Town last Saturday, and despite showing a lot of promise, were un-done by a Tyreke Johnson cross half-way through the first half.

Aveley started on top, and within three minutes, almost took the lead through dangerous winger Kenny Aileru. He received the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a left-footed strike which was deflected by the feintest of touches which saw it smack the crossbar and go out for a corner.

Minutes later, it was Aveley coming again and providing the threat in the early stages. Garrett Kelly pressed a goal-kick, Kelly won the ball and slipped in Matt Rush, a summer signing from Braintree Town, who dragged his right footed shot just wide of the right hand post.

The hosts showcased what they were about on 20 minutes, former Oxford United winger, Tyreke Johnson went outside Jason Ring, fired at goal with his left foot before seeing it hit the outside of the post and wide of Jonathan North's goal.

Five minutes later and The Bluebirds found their breakthrough, Tyreke Johnson down the left hand side again, shifted the ball to his left foot, aimed to find striker Matt McClure in the middle of the box, instead went better and saw his wayward cross fly into Jonathan North's top left hand corner to give Chippenham the lead.

The Millers responded well and Matt Rush made a fantastic run in behind and was upended inside the box by Aaron Holloway, however, the linesman flag was raised, and the claims for the penalty were waved away.

Half Time: Chippenham Town 1-0 Aveley.

The second half saw The Millers dominate on their National South debut and seemed to do everything but put the ball in the back of the Chippenham Town net.

Less than a minute into the re-start and Matt Rush slipped in Nana Kyei, who from a tight angle, fired into the right hand side netting.

The next twenty minutes was a scrappy affair with a mixture of the wind and tactical fouls stopping The Millers from creating any real rhthym.

This saw Tyreke Johnson booked for throwing the ball away, Nat Williams booked for holding onto Matt Rush, and then Willy King shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away.

On 70 minutes, the travelling Millers in the stand and players on the pitch beleived they were to be awarded a penalty, Jon Benton was cleaned out as he went to run onto a Siju Odelusi through-ball, however, despite the loud appeals, it was waved away.

The Millers had the slope and the wind, but Chippenham defensive shape frustrated them, and continued to do so for the rest of the match. Jon Benton took aim with a right-footed curled effort but he placed it a whisker past the left hand post.

Jon Benton was next to take aim again and saw his effort this time brilliantly tipped past the post by Chippenham keeper Will Henry who kept his side in the game.

From the resulting corner Garrett Kelly raised highest and nodded his effort past the right hand post as Chippenham's goal carried on living a charmed life.

Six minutes was added on, and two minutes in the Millers appealed for another potential penalty, Alex Hernandez received a boot to the face in the box, but along with the two previous appeals in the game, it was also waved away.

With time ticking away The Millers had another chance, Jon Benton, on the edge of the area took aim but saw his left footed strike fly past the top right hand corner of the goal and behind for a goal kick.

Full Time: Chippenham Town 1-0 Aveley.

Attendance: 569.

Chippenham XI: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Freddie Grant, Craig Fasanmade, Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Tyreke Johnson, Jake Evans, Matt McClure, Caine Bradbury, Nat Williams, Will King (Luke Spokes 74)

Subs not used: George Abbott, Alex Bray, Owen Windsor, Mal Nicholls,

Aveley XI: Jonathan North, Jason Ring, Tom Stephen, Siju Odelusi, Jalen Jones, Harry Gibbs, Nana Kyei (Charlee Hughes 70), Garrett Kelly, Matt Rush, Jon Benton, Kenny Aileru (Alex Hernandez 85)

Subs not used: Connor Witherspoon, Tommy Davis, Jonathan Nzengo