Hornchurch 2, Aveley 0

MILLERS were unable to stretch their recent improved form to a third consecutive win and take derby bragging rights from the Urchins on Monday (21 April).

The visitors were rarely on a par with their hosts in the first half and the only surprise was that they only went in a goal down at the break.

Early on Hornchurch's Angelo Balanta latched onto a stray Brooklyn Kagonbolo back pass after only three minutes but keeper James Holden was quick to recover the situation

That goal came on 22 minutes when Tommy Wood who squared to Will Greenidge and he made no mistake cutting inside his marker and firing left footed across Holden into the far corner.

Aveley did finally mount a serious attempt on goal right at the end of the half when they were awarded a freekick 25 yards out. With the penalty area bustling with six footers Alfie Lewis chose to shoot low, but his effort found only the side netting.

The second period was a more even affair but the Millers failed to seriously trouble Urchins keeper Mason Terry, though Kagonbolo saw a header drift wide before an effort by Imran Uche cleared the bar as the Millers tried to press.

In the end the match was settled when Harry Gibbs, who has had three spells as a Miller during his career, put the game beyond doubt firing home with five minutes remaining.

Millers complete their time in Vanarama National South with a home match against mid-table Bath City on Saturday (26 April).