Brentwood Town 3, Aveley 3

AFTER a match that ebbed and flowed Aveley earned a share of the points in an entertaining derby Isthmian Premier clash on Friday evening (28 November), an outcome that keeps both sides firmly in the play-off mix.

Millers, who were missing some key players and relied on upcoming young members of the squad to fill the gaps made a great start and pressed their hosts back from the off, resulting in a sixth minute goal for Suley Zuhdu who won the ball after great pressing following a throw in and he came out tops from a one-on-one clash with Brentwood keeper Melvin Minter.

The lead didn't last that long.

Somewhat against the run of play Town got back on level terms after 11 minutes when Daniel Ogunleye burst down the right flank and fired home.

Chances came and went at both ends but it was Brentwood who were to go into the interval ahead after Ogunleye netted his second when he headed home from the back post on 38 minutes.

Millers drew level a couple of minutes before the hour mark when Zuhdu did well to shrug off his man to find Harry Critchley at the back post and his bullet header put Millers right back in the match.

Once again there wasn't long to wait before another goal came along, just nine minutes of parity had passed when Alejandro Machado, who started the season with Millers before switching to Town in October after making eight appearances, made his mark by getting on the end of an Ade Cole corner and heads home against his former club.

But Millers were not done. There were just six minutes remaining when Zuhdu again showed his physical prowess, shrugging off his marker and sliding home the equaliser past Minter to maintain Millers' unbeaten run on the road in the league and take the current club unbeaten run in all matches to ten.

The leading places after Friday night's match.

Millers, who have strengthened their squad by re-signing Hamza Semakula on dual registration from National league Hemel Hempstead, are next in action on Monday evening (1 December) when they play host to Redbridge in the Velocity League Cup.

Utility player Hamza joined Millers ahead of the 2024/25 season and went on to make 28 appearances and playing in almost every position, scoring a brilliant goal in a 2-1 victory over Farnborough at Parkside.