Aveley 3, Cheshunt 0

MILLERS shrugged off the disappointment of last week's derby loss at Billericay to record an emphatic Isthmian Premier win at Parkside on Saturday (21 March) that keeps them ahead of their rivals for a home play-off spot and avenged a February defeat by the Ambers.

Brett Munyard's team were quick out of the traps and almost opened the scoring after six minutes when Ryan Henshaw's ball was met by the head of Jayden Gipson but the crossbar intervened.

Then there was controversy at both ends when Cheshunt were denied what looked valid penalty claims and then Millers got the ball in the net, apparently direct from a corner, but the effort was ruled out – seemingly for offside!

But the opening goal wasn't long in coming. 21 minutes had passed when another ball into the box caused confusion and Toby Aromolaran was left with the task of scoring into an empty net. And five minutes later it was two, Jesse Nwabueze breaking fast on a counter attack to be in the right place to receive the ball from Fletcher Hubbard and he applied the finish.

Millers were the dominant force but despite plenty of pressure they couldn't find another goal and went into the break two up.

That scoreline didn't last long on the restart. Two minutes of play saw the lead extended when Aromolaran was again in the right place at the right time in the box to apply the decisive strike.

Manager Brett Munyard's post-match verdict.

That effectively put paid to the game as a contest and Aveley were able to control the rest of the match, with under 23 player Prince Igbo coming off the bench to play his part, just a couple of hours after scoring two for the U23s in a morning fixture.

In added time Millers thought they had a fourth but Nwabueze was denied when the offside flag was raised.

Millers will be looking to consolidate their position next Saturday (28 March) when they host seventh-placed Cray Wanderers.