Barking 2 (0) - (0) 1 ROMFORD Attendance 57

Paul Martin fielded a number of unsigned trialists in his starting 11 at Mayesbrook Park, and a lively but generally uneventful first half ended goalless with Boro's best chances falling to Nathan Cooper who shot fractionally over in the 12th minute and Nick Reynolds seeing his fierce drive well tipped over the bar by the Barking keeper a minute before the break.
Romford started the second half well but fell behind to a goal against the run of play in the 55th minute when ex-Boro man Luke Stanley curled a free kick from just outside the area around the defence and inside the far post. A minute later they were two down when the ball was played up to Barking's George Shelvey, brother of Jonjo who was allowed far too much time to turn and shoot home.
Paul Martin immediately brought on all his remaining substitutes with only Nick Reynolds seeing out the full ninety minutes. This far more experienced looking line up laid siege to the the home goal for the remainder of the match and James Ishmail's 75th minute thunderbolt from outside the penalty area left the crossbar shaking.
Abbs Seymour's low corner was scrambled off the line before Jordan Thomas headed in with five minutes to go, but despite a couple more half chances going close Romford could not get the equaliser.

ROMFORD: Aaron Omand, David Ottley, Miguel Lopes Dematos, Nathan Bertram-Cooper, Luke McLeavy, Michael Akande, Robbie Norris, Tyler Jalland, Nick Reynolds, Nathan, Archie Barnes
SUBSTITUTES: Davis Boateng, Paul Preston, Jamie Dicks, James Ishmail, Matt Toms, Paul Clayton, Jack Barry, Abs Seymour, Jordan Thomas, Taj Hussain

SCORER: Jordan Thomas

MATCH REPORT BY PHIL REDWIN