AVELEY continued their excellent start to the season by coming out on top in a nine-goal thriller against Haringey Borough on Monday night.

A Sherwin Stanley hat-trick helped lift the Millers to the top of the Ryman North on Monday evening, with Abs Seymour and Arian Retkoceri also on target after Borough had staged a fight-back.

The first goal came after 15 minutes, as Stanley rose highest to head beyond the home goalkeeper, although they were pegged back 10 minutes later.

Dean Fenton levelled the scores before Seymour profited after an initial shot was saved to restore Aveley’s lead.

Back came Borough once again and Ross Dedman tapped home from what looked like an offside position although the Millers were to lead at the break.

Neat build-up play saw Stanley drive into the bottom corner to make it 3-2.

Three minutes into the second-half, Aveley had a two-goal cushion and Stanley had his hat-trick. A free-kick from Seymour was met by Stanley and his deft flick found the corner.

But two goals in nine minutes had Haringey level. Fenton and Ralston Gabriel, the latter a sublime volley, made things all square with 25 minutes to go.

But Aveley had the last laugh as Retkoceri was in the right place at the right time to hand the visitors the points, and a 5-4 victory.