Posh houses, horse fields and Millers fireworks ... the story of Bromley 0 Rotherham United 2
The youngster's joy at scoring his first goal for the club was written all over his face.
Bromley 0 Rotherham United 2
A long time before kick-off, a group of football men stood together by the touchline sharing a few moments before battle.
Boss Alex Bruce and his assistant, Steve Agnew, were representing Rotherham. In the huddle for Bromley were new manager Karl Robinson and two of his backroom staff, Jermain Defoe and Craig Short - fine players both in their day.
They all swapped opinions, they all shared a laugh and joke. The Bromley boss put his arm around his Millers counterpart. After all, the pair are pals from their recent time together at Salford City.
Later, the serious stuff kicked off at the Copperjax Community Stadium between two sides struggling in their respective divisions: the League Two visitors seeking to topple opposition from the level above in the first round of the FA Cup.
Later than that, Rotherham had their first victory in 11 matches and 303 travelling fans were finally revelling again in how it feels to raise your flag on enemy territory.
"We could have easily been winners by a lot more today," said Bruce. "There were a lot of pleasing things."
Dead right.
Rotherham were shorn of 10 first-teamers by injuries, suspensions and illness, but those who did play stood together, as ramrod straight as the veterans gracing the Remembrance fixture with their presence.
Outwardly, Bruce kept a cool countenance. Inside, he was bubbling.
"I'm taking it week by week, game by game, whether it be a cup competition or a league game," he said. "Yes, I'm aware of some of the noise regarding where we are in the league, I'm aware of how things have been. But I'm trying to keep a level head and tell myself it's still early days in the season."
Bromley is a well-heeled part of south-east London and seven-figure homes lined the streets for the last stretch of Saturday's 200-mile journey from South Yorkshire.
Horses grazed in fields either side of the driveway leading up to the ground where the Millers went on to make hay.
They had to defend early on, but they quickly grew into the contest and George Sebine had seen a header saved by the time they took the lead close to the break. Josh Austerfield's cross was pinpoint and so was Sonny Aljofree's headed connection.
The youngster's joy at scoring his first goal for the club was written all over his face and he went knee-sliding towards Millers supporters, shedding the baggage of his miss at Swindon Town a week earlier along the way.
"I thought Sonny was excellent," said Bruce. "I thought they all were. Bromley struggled with balls into the box."
Like the horses, the home team had a bit of a nibble after the interval, but, soon, Rotherham - directed by their teenage general, Jayce Fitzgerald - were taking control.
Flu had ruled out top scorer Paul Mullin and, in his place, a young loanee just coming back from injury gave the home defence problem after problem until his legs gave out with a quarter of an hour to go
"George Sebine gives us something different at the top of the pitch," said Bruce. "He runs in behind, he's a focal point for us to hit. These are things that we haven't had. There were a lot of plusses."
The striker had broken away and hit the post after the restart. His partner up front, Tom Bradshaw, then latched on to a pass from the impressive Aaron Nemane, shimmied past a marker and the goalkeeper and doubled the lead.
Ethon Archer cannoned a fierce drive off the bar to remind Bruce's men they were still in a game, but Rotherham weren't in the mood for yielding.
Bradshaw's header from a Klaidi Lolos cross was kept out by the woodwork and Nemane should have buried the follow-up but was denied by a fine stop. Lolos ran in on goal and fired just wide and Austerfield had an effort saved.
That would be the same Austerfield who, with victory in the bag, was still running back 60 yards at top speed in added time to help halt a Bromley attack.
Bruce is hoping the 2-0 result leads to an upturn in league fortunes.
"I'm just pleased for the players," he said. "Listen, it's been a tough time for them in recent weeks. I've been in this league, now, for two or three years, and you can go through a poor period You can have a bad couple of weeks, and that's what we've had.
"There have been a lot of reasons behind that. The one thing that the lads have done is, they've stuck at it - and they need to keep sticking at it. We've still got a lot of work to do. I'm not under any illusion about that.
"We need to keep working hard. We need to go and get a few decent results. I know this group are capable of doing it. If they hit the levels of performance of today and play with no fear, like they did today, then they'll be all right.
"We could have gone and made it 4-0 today. There are a lot of positives to take and we move on from here."
As dark fell and he waited to begin his pitchside post-match press conference, a series of fireworks had suddenly gone off in the background. It seemed appropriate after that second half in which the team had fizzed and crackled and Fitzgerald, in particular, had sparkled.
"We're going to Wem-ber-lee," chanted fans making the most of a first win since September 19.
We're not. But it was lovely to feel a bit of optimism again.
At the final whistle, the scene was different to the bonhomie of that pre-match gathering. Now, only one of the two bosses was sporting a big smile.
And it wasn't Robinson.
Bromley (4-2-3-1): Shamal George; Marcus Ifill, Kamarl Grant, Richard Taylor (Chanse Headman 59), Jacob Mendy (Freddie Cowin 59); George Saville, Kamil Conteh; Jodi Jones (Nicke Kabamba 81), JJ McKiernan (Mitch Pinnock 59), Mickel Miller (Ethon Archer 59); Michael Cheek. Subs not used: Grant Smith, Will Hondermarck, Corey Whitely.
Rotherham (4-4-2): Ted Cann; Denzel Hall, Sonny Aljofree, Kieran Ngwenya, Brandon William; Aaron Nemane, Josh Austerfield, Jayce Fitzgerald, Brandon Cover; Tom Bradshaw (Dean Gardner 87), George Sebine (Klaidi Lolos 76). Subs not used: Julian Eyestone, Lenny Agbaire, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Hamish Douglas, Kane Richardson.
Goals: Aljofree 45+1, Bradshaw 55 (Rotherham)
Referee: Sam Mulhall (Greater London)
Attendance: 2,044 (303)