Written by Jack Webb
Image by Velocity Sports
National League South, Parkside, Saturday 2 November, 15.00 GMT
Back on the road, Terras!
After our crucial comeback against title-fighters Farnborough last weekend, ahead of us lays an equally vital fixture, albeit with a different psychological edge.
Following their resounding 4-1 loss away to Weston-Super-Mare, Aveley sit just one place and one point above us, near the foot of the table.
Though by tomorrow evening that could change; three points could not only take us off the foot of the table, but also just five points off safety.
We are slowly but surely discovering the form of a team worthy of staying in England’s sixth tier, having lost just once in our last six league games.
Aveley also appear to have turned a corner, winning two of their last three games in all competitions.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
If there’s any boost for us before kick-off, it’s that we have already shown we can grind The Millers on their own turf.
So much so that we are unbeaten against the Essex outfit throughout our history.
Admittedly that “history” is three games in 22 years.
The last time this fixture was played was only in March this year; both sides were a little further up the table, especially Aveley, who had their eye on promotion having earned a vital away point versus “them lot” in Somerset.
Meanwhile, we were back on the road for the first time in four matches, as we looked to comfortably secure our sixth-tier status well before the season’s close.
Although we had only lost twice in our previous eight visits to Essex, with two clean sheets in our last three trips to the county, it was clear that this game would be a challenge.
Until Malachi Linton had other ideas.
The then-loanee’s second-half double made the difference, taking us to 15th-place, nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Before that, we managed to secure points against Danny Scopes’ side, perhaps even more impressively.
Although this match ended in a draw at home, Aveley at the time were boastfully sitting in second-place.
We, on the other hand, were just a few points off the drop zone.
Yet our opponents could not fully break us down, an 84th-minute own goal from Charlee Hughes earning us a point.
WE’RE THE MILLERS
Founded in 1927, The Millers have been grinding their grain for nearly 100 years.
But despite their lengthy existence, their sixth-tier status has been a lot shorter.
So much shorter, in fact, that this is just their second season in this division, their first only being the previous campaign.
Their new riches are largely down to the heroics of Scopes, the Aveley boss’ achievements being nothing short of remarkable.
The Essex outfit were two divisions lower in November 2021 when the gaffer took charge of the dugout, yet he came with credentials (taking Concord Rangers to the FA Trophy final in 2019) as he looked to take his new side to the Southern Premier League Division South.
He did just that in one try, winning the league in the process.
Their next campaign saw them compete in England’s seventh division, their new surroundings doing little to phase them as they finished fourth, earning themselves a spot in the play-offs.
Beating Canvey Island in the semi-finals, a 1-0 victory over Hornchurch ensured a second successive promotion.
Where have we seen that before?
Surely they weren’t going to do one better than us next season, right?
A play-off finish suggested otherwise.
In their FIRST EVER sixth-tier season, we may add!
The Millers managed to grind enough points to finish one above Farnborough in seventh place, that single point vitally giving them the chance to be promoted for the third time in a row.
Though their luck would finally run out in the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 to Maidstone United.
Now they’re experiencing a new and unfamiliar challenge, their two wins and nine losses placing them closer to the mighty Terras than the top of the table.
To add to their woes, this season’s table-toppers inflicted a 4-1 defeat at their expense in their last league game.
Still, Scopes appeared unfazed this week, particularly given his side’s 4-0 Essex Senior Cup win away to Walthamstow on Tuesday ensuring their second win in two games.
But even with both teams turning a corner in recent weeks, three points remain as crucial as ever…
HOW TO FOLLOW…
We regret to announce that commentary will not be provided this afternoon.
Instead in-game action will be provided across all social media platforms; post-match footage will also be uploaded after the full-time whistle.
