Bah, Humbugs!

Romford (1) 1, Halstead Town (1) 3 – Essex Senior League – Saturday 27th April 2024

Defeat at the hands of The Humbugs of Halstead Town, coupled with Woodford Town’s 4-2 win over Ilford means a drop to third for Boro and a probable home Play-Off Semi-Final tie against Barking.

The date of this game – and indeed, Boro’s opponents – remains a matter of conjecture. Great Wakering Rovers cannot finish above fifth on the basis of results to date, regardless of how many points they gain in their last two fixtures, but their recent defeat at Saffron Walden Town is subject to an investigation as Saffron Walden are alleged to have played this and two other games while under an Essex County FA suspension.

Although Romford looked below par in this game – too many passes went astray and the verve and spark of recent performances was missing – take nothing away from Halstead, who defended resolutely and always looked dangerous on the break.

Boro started well however, as a third minute header by Adalberto Pinto from Michael Bakare’s corner had to be headed over his own crossbar by a Halstead defender, and after six minutes a good combination between Hassan Nalbant and Sam Deering creating an opening for Bakare, but his shot went wide. Halstead served notice that they weren’t there just to make up the numbers with a shot from the ever dangerous Kane Gilbert that went wide and then a header from a free-kick that went over.

Pinto became the first of three Romford players to be booked after 12 minutes, but almost immediately Boro were ahead when Sam Deering finished off a move in which Amaree Robinson-Jones and Michael Bakare combined well. Kris Newby then joined Pinto in referee Michael Wright’s notebook for a foul after 16 minutes and after 23 minutes, Halstead equalised when Boro’s defence – so solid of late – had a rare fit of uncertainty and Joel Older scored from close range.

Halstead then created a good opening that Boro were relieved to clear at the expense of a corner, but went close themselves when Pinto had a header from a Deering corner that just cleared the bar, and Deering himself had a shot deflected wide.

Three minutes into first half stoppage time and Boro were dealt a blow when a cut head forced Hassan Nalbant to leave the field. Fortunately, the injury appears to not be serious.

The second half opened with a booking for Darren Phillips, whose flailing arm caught a defender as he jumped for a header, and good chances for Robinson-Jones and Deering who both put shots disappointingly wide.

After 61 minutes a foul by Junior Luke conceded a penalty which Kane Gilbert converted, sending Jake Anderson the wrong way, and suddenly Boro had a mountain to climb. And that mountain got taller after 70 minutes when Remi Sutton was dispossessed as he tried to bring the ball out of defence and Older netted his second of the afternoon with a low drive.

Jaiden Babalola shot wide after 74 minutes when set up by Deering and Charlie Morris, and Morris shot over after a cross by Junior Luke had been met by Ash Siddik with a header that was blocked, but thereafter Romford huffed and puffed but ultimately floundered against the visitors’ resolute defence with goalkeeper Jack Cherry commanding against the high balls into his box.

A disappointing finale to Boro’s league campaign, but a Play-Off Semi-Final awaits – when we know who and when!

Romford: Jake Anderson, Junior Luke, Darren Phillips (Jaiden Babalola, 62m), Remi Sutton, Kris Newby, Scott Doe, Amaree Robinson-Jones (Toheeb Elegushi, 62m), Adalberto Pinto (Ash Siddik, 62m), Hassan Nalbant (Charlie Morris, 45+3m), Sam Deering, Michael Bakare. Unused sub: Jacob Wiggins