It was a bitter sweet day for Blues fans on Monday , a hard working and deserved win over local rivals Aveley was tempered by the news that manager Jim Cooper had announced his retirement from the club and non league football with immediate effect. As to the action Blues strike duo Anointed Chukwu and Dave Knight continued their hot streak in front of goal with one apiece to claim the points and bragging rites . The Millers some would say title favourites provided Blues with their sternest test so far, and coming hot on the heels of their demolition of Basildon United one wondered if they could continue an unbeaten start but they passed the test with flying colours. Yes the Millers enjoyed a good share of possession but were thwarted by a solid back line where Geoff Okonkwo was outstanding, coupled with a hard working midfield and Danny Sambridge bossing his area ,clear cut chances were kept to a minimum characterised by the fact the Millers goal came from the penalty spot.

Blues showed their intent as early as the second minute when Danny Gould had an opportunity sliding his effort just wide of the upright. Quickly Millers replied with a low drive, Sambridge making a comfortable save.

The game now settled down with play confined to the middle of the park although Aveley were just shading possession and came close when a teasing cross to the far post found the head of George Sykes but he fluffed his lines nodding down and wide of the goal.

Gradually Blues matched Millers for possession and on 14 minutes they made the breakthrough. Mitch Hahn won the ball on half way touching on to Freddie Moncur who funnelled the ball through to Chukwu, brushing off a challenge he rounded the advancing David Hughes to slide the ball into an unguarded net.

A quick riposte saw Sykes test Sambridge with a close range header, the keeper turning the ball behind but once again play was bogged down in midfield. Chances were now at a premium, Gould was presented with an opportunity after good hold up work from Chukwu, his fierce effort saved by Hughes.

The Millers continued searching for an equaliser with Sykes the target man but he was well marshalled by Okonkwo ,and Sambridge dealing well with balls into the area. Ex Blue Manny Ogunrinde tried his luck from distance missing the target and then Sykes touched wide from close range.

But it was Grays who looked the more dangerous on the break and in front of goal with half time looming.

HT 1-0

Aveley were out early for the start of the second period clearly intent on trying to restore parity and for the opening period they enjoyed plenty of possession albeit without creating a clear scoring chance. Blues looked content to hold on to their advantage closing down when danger appeared and then hitting on the break .

Eventually Millers got back on level terms on 53 minutes when Ryan Sammons was adjudged to have unfairly challenged in the box , Shad Ngundu converting from the spot.

With their tails up Millers looked to get that all important second gaol but were coming up against a well organised Blues who kept their shape forcing them to play across the park, limiting balls into the danger area, and then looking to exploit space behind the Aveley back line where Chukwu and Knight combined well to cause defenders problems.

The match was now balanced on a knife edge and clearly the next goal would ensure victory for either side and in the 65th minute it was Grays who edged in front. A Macca Joynes corner to the far post picked out Gould who nodded back into the danger area finding the lurking and unmarked Knight planting a deft header into the net, met with a roar from the Grays faithful.

The goal saw a change in momentum, Blues now for a time held the upper hand pressuring a not too efficient back line but failed to increase their advantage, and again the pendulum swung the other way, Aveley now searching desperately for the equaliser but again failing to carve out a clear cut opportunity.

In the dying embers a slick passage of play set up sub Callum Watts with a chance to put the game beyond Millers but his shot slid agonisingly wide of the wood work with Hughes beaten.

Moments later came the final whistle on a game that never really hit the heights so closely were the sides matched but it provided exciting entertainment for the large crowd and left Blues sitting on top of the table maintaining their 100% record and giving an emotional Cooper a winning send off.

Sambridge, Sammons , Joynes, Moncur( Wescott 70), Okonkwo, McQueen, Gould, Hahn, Chukwu, Knight (Watts 88), Melaugh(Paxman 43)

Sub Not Used ;, Ogunrinde, Henry