25 IS THE MILLERS' MAGICAL NUMBER

AVELEY’S dressing room wall will have a large piece of paper stuck to it tomorrow afternoon, inked with a single number: 25.

- Matt Badcock

It’s a tally of wins that has been totting up for Danny Scopes’ side this season as they make their mark at Step 3 following Isthmian North glory last season.

Former Concord Rangers boss Scopes knows they don’t come much tougher than their final opponents Hornchurch.

But after 24 came against Canvey Island on Wednesday, win 25 will take them to the National League South.

“We looked at the league table from previous seasons and worked out that 15 wins would give you a mid-table to top-half finish, maybe, but mainly survival and that was our aim,” Scopes told The NLP. “We did a little 15 per cent campaign – to get 15 wins, we’re going to need 15 per cent more in these areas. We looked at fitness, commitment, the club facilities, equipment, even right down to kit, socks and tracksuits.