Against a Mildenhall Town side that had conceded just six goals in eleven away games in all competitions this season, Romford turned in a faultless performance, scoring three without reply and easing into the last 32 of the FA Vase for the second year running.

The first half was a cagey affair in which both sides passed the ball well and looked to create openings, none of which bore fruit. Mildenhall keeper Josh Pope, brother of Newcastle United stopper Nick, was in early action, getting down well to smother a dangerous low cross from Jamie Hursit after six minutes.

A decent move by Mildenhall ended with Jarid Robson shooting wide after fourteen minutes, but Boro went close after seventeen minutes when Darren Phillips flicked on a long throw by Junior Luke and Hassan Nalbant’s header was turned round the post by Pope.

Nalbant then had a low shot well saved and Finlay Dorrell lost his footing when well placed as Boro continued to create chances. The visitors displayed some good touches and passed the ball well, but the Boro back line held them firmly at bay to the extent that Jake Anderson didn’t have a save to make in the opening forty-five minutes, although a high boot by Phillips gave Mildenhall a free-kick in a dangerous position in the last minute of the half, but the set piece came to nothing.

A long throw from Junior Luke in the first minute of the second half was touched on to Malaki Toussaint, but his effort was blocked at close range by Pope, who then comfortably held a shot from Ash Siddik at head height.

In a flurry of activity at the start of the second period, Hassan Nalbant shot over from close range after Darren Phillips had headed on Jamie Hursit’s free-kick, but the away side looked dangerous on the break with full-back Ben Nolan particularly impressive on the right, and another effort from Jarid Robson was just off target after 51 minutes.

Romford took a deserved lead after 56 minutes. A powerful run by Nalbant on the left ended with his shot being parried by Pope, but with the ball running into the six yard box, Ash Siddik pounced to roll the ball into the far corner of the net for 1-0.

On the hour, a curling free-kick from 20 yards by Alfie Conner was superbly pushed away by Jake Anderson; from the ensuing corner, vociferous Mildenhall claims for a penalty for handball were waved away by referee Steven Goldup.

A good cross from the left by Siddik was headed narrowly over by Nalbant after 71 minutes as Romford continued to carve out the better chances, albeit that the visitors looked ever dangerous, especially on the right where an incursion by Noble eventually drew a rash challenge from Junior Luke, for which he was booked, the only Boro player cautioned. The visitors saw three players booked for various infractions.

Play continued to ebb and flow before Boro made the game safe with two late goals. The 89th minute had been reached when Jacob Wiggins, on for Malaki Toussaint, hit a peach of a through ball that Hassan Nalbant took in his stride, shaking off a defender and calmly passing the ball past Pope for Boro’s second. Seven minutes of stoppage time had been played when young substitute Bradley Mott ran onto another incisive through ball, nicked the ball past the advancing Pope, and rolled the ball into an empty net.

This was an emphatic Boro win over a good Mildenhall team, and while everyone in a blue shirt played their part, special mentions must go to Scott Doe and Darren Phillips at the back for their solid performances, Ash Siddik in midfield (surely his best game for the club), Hassan Nalbant up front for his tireless work in holding the ball up and bringing people into play, and Finlay Dorrell, who gave the Mildenhall defenders a torrid time.

The last 32 beckons; perhaps this year Boro can go one better than in 2022-23.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Junior Luke, Jamie Hursit, Lee Hursit, Scott Doe, Darren Phillips, Kris Newby, Malaki Toussaint (Jacob Wiggins, 70m), Hassan Nalbant, Ash Siddik (Bradley Mott, 89m), Finlay Dorrell (Alvin Smeraldi, 87m). Unused subs: Danny Hurford, Joseph Sulola, Wayne Baker, George Cox.