Boro Comfortably Through

Romford (0) 2, Little Oakley (0) 0

Boro boss Dan Spinks made changes from the side that comprehensively beat Frenford a week previously, and while the margin of victory in this Errington Challenge Cup tie was more modest, had Boro taken their chances they could easily have scored six again.

Right from the off, Boro were on the front foot and the first half was something of a procession, with umpteen corners won and numerous chances created, but incredibly no goals scored as half-time came with the score still 0-0. In just the second minute, Finlay Dorrell latched on to a fine through ball but saw his shot blocked by Little Oakley keeper Luke Skinner; Toheeb Elegushi was unable to capitalise as the ball ran loose.

After four minutes Dorrell was again denied, this time by a combination of defender and keeper, and then Amaree Robinson-Jones – who revelled in the space he was afforded on the right – had a shot saved by Skinner. Elegushi was then denied by Skinner after winning the ball deep in the Little Oakley half, and on the quarter hour an inviting cross by Danny Hurford was headed just wide by Dorrell. It wasn’t until the 25th minute that the visitors created anything resembling a chance, when Jake Anderson was beaten in the air but the loose ball fell to a covering defender who cleared.

Little Oakley keeper Skinner was yellow carded for handball after catching the ball inside his own penalty area but finding his momentum took him outside, and from the resulting free-kick there were optimistic Boro appeals for a penalty when a defender diverted the ball away with an arm; nothing doing was the verdict.

Oakley’s Jack Sibbons was shown a yellow card for a foul on Charlie Morris as the half drew to a slightly frustrating close with Boro without a goal to show for their dominance.

Little Oakley created an early chance after the break when a low cross from the left reached Nathan Rowe in a dangerous position but he spooned the ball well over the bar. It proved a costly miss for the visitors as Boro went ahead after 48 minutes. Charlie Morris showed good control and provided an excellent pass for Toheeb Elegushi, who slipped the ball under Skinner with the visitors’ defence appealing in vain for an offside flag that was never coming.

Finlay Dorrell hit a shot into the ground that reared up enabling Skinner to save comfortably after 50 minutes, but Boro didn’t have long to wait for a second goal. With 52 minutes played, Elegushi was well found on the left and his low cross was converted by Charlie Morris from close range.

A strong run out of defence by Remi Sutton created an opening that neither Morris nor Dorrell could take advantage of after 55 minutes, but Boro nearly handed Little Oakley a lifeline with 57 minutes played when Joseph Sulola, in heading the ball back to Anderson, put it wide of his keeper but fortunately for Boro, it was also wide of the post.

Amaree Robinson-Jones struck a fierce drive that was just wide on the hour and after 68 minutes Hassan Nalbant’s goalbound header was diverted against the crossbar by a Little Oakley defender with Boro appealing in vain that the ball had crossed the line when it came down, bounced, and was cleared.

Romford were continuing to create chances and after a low shot by Ash Siddik had been easily saved, Robinson-Jones went mightily close to making it three when he shot narrowly over from ten yards after being set up by Nalbant.

Little Oakley created a rare chance with just four minutes remaining as a low cross from the left by Harry Mann was prodded wide by Mason Lumley, but there was still time for Boro to fashion two more good chances. Junior Luke cut in from the right and fired in a shot that went just over the bar, and in stoppage time, Mike Faulkner had a golden opportunity to register his first Boro goal after playing a one-two with Nalbant, but shot wide with just Skinner to beat.

Boro’s next cup tie – the FA Vase game against Hilltop - has slightly more riding on it than this game did, but it’s always good to progress in any cup competition.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Ash Siddik, Joseph Sulola (Junior Luke, 60m), Remi Sutton, Toheeb Elegushi (Jaiden Babalola, 74m), Scott Doe, Danny Hurford, Lee Hursit (Kris Newby, 64m), Charlie Morris (Mike Faulkner, 74m), Amaree Robinson-Jones, Finlay Dorrell (Hassan Nalbant, 64m)