Millers clinch the title

Congratulations to Aveley, who yesterday sealed a return to our top flight a decade after they left it by defeating Tilbury with four first half goals, Alex Akrofi got things going from the spot, Kenny Aileru doubled the advantage on nineteen minutes, and George Sykes added two more to ensure the game was over within half an hour, leaving an hour to celebrate before the final whistle.

The Millers are deserved champions, and particular congratulations go to Craig Johnson, who deserves this moment more than most and who takes centre stage in our image! Sorry Craig, we couldn’t resist! Image from the always excellent Lambpix.

Canvey haven’t quite guaranteed second place but they did ensure that Grays Athletic’s play off bid ended by defeating them three-one. It was, as usual, the Matt Price and Evans Kouassi show, Price with the first and third and Kouassi’s effort sandwiched between them. Anointed Chuckwu did get one back for ten men Athletic, who had earlier lost Freddy Moncur to a red card, but that was that.

Felixstowe and Walton United grabbed the final play off place in style, travelling to Maldon & Tiptree and delivering a demolition. Sam Nunn and Joe Whight put them two up at the break, Ollie Canfer, Whight and Kieran Twinn added three more after the break, and although Bryan Ifeanyi got one back just before the end, it wasn’t much of a consolation for the disconsolate Jammers.

Stowmarket Town were on the road to Coggeshall Town, conceded an early goal after just two minutes- Ross Wall with it- scored two of their own through Emmanuel Osie-Owusu and Reginald Thompson Lambe, and then saw the Seed Growers grab a point, Jack Hayes with the equaliser twenty minutes from time. That could be an important equaliser for Brentwood Town, who face Stowmarket on Saturday knowing that victory will see them take home play off advantage against the same side a few days later. Brentwood are only a point behind, after hitting Romford for seven at the Arena. Tom Richardson got four of them, remarkably including a hat trick of penalties, Ashley Nzala, George Craddock and Rob Harvey the others, all coming after Temitore Babalola had given Romford the lead.

At the other end, Witham Town moved from the final relegation place to the relegation play off place with a point against Heybridge Swifts, whilst Barking changed places with them after defeat against Great Wakering Rovers. Two goals in five minutes from Ramiah Mills and Adam Vyse looked to have sealed three points for Town, only for Kerl Kayembe and a late, late Alex Stephenson equaliser to thwart them of two points; whilst at Mayesbrook Park George Okoye gave Barking an early lead only for Morisi Gelashvili and Alex Clark to see Rovers safe with a goal each.

Hullbridge Sports ended their phenomenal great escape with the only goal at Dereham Town, Rolan Oteniya scoring it, whilst Basildon United are also safe despite losing to Hashtag United, Eli Benoit scoring the only goal.

Bury Town and AFC Sudbury had nothing to play for apart from bragging rights over each other, and the Yellows take them after Joe Grimwood got the only goal eleven minutes from time.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.