Romford (1) 2, Ilford (0) 1 – Saturday 4th November 2023 – Essex Senior League
Just sixty seconds after being denied a penalty having gone down under a challenge from Ilford defender James-Thompson, and – to add insult to injury – being booked for simulation, Junior Luke gleefully belted the ball into the net to score what proved to be Boro’s winner against a game Ilford side.

The win was no more than Romford deserved, but they were made to work hard for it by Ilford, who were clearly buoyed up by their midweek win at Hullbridge Sports.

The first half was nothing to write home about however, and was enlivened only by Charlie Morris’s third goal in two games that gave Boro a half-time lead. It came after 34 minutes when Morris controlled a ball played down the right channel by Daniel Nabikov-Getmansky, put Ilford defender David Ejakita on his back-side with a delightful feint and then fired a low shot past Kasey Clark’s left hand.

Charlie Morris controls the pass…

…and fires home the first goal.

Morris’s goal apart, the key first half moments were restricted to George Cox being booked for a foul, Ilford keeper Kasey Clark needing treatment after diving bravely at the feet of Finlay Dorrell, who headed wide when well placed having earlier had a goal chalked off for offside, while Ilford’s only real chance fell to Ogheneruemu Abutoh, whose shot comfortably cleared Jake Anderson’s bar.

There were early chances for Boro after the break. Ilford defender Jordan Fisher had to react quickly to put Junior Luke’s teasing cross over his own crossbar and then Ashaan Siddik’s low cross found Charlie Morris via an Ilford defender, but Morris’s shot was blocked for a corner.

Dorrell had the ball in the net a second time only to be denied by an offside flag and then Ilford keeper Clark saved at full stretch from Henry Hart, but after 62 minutes, Ilford levelled. Quincy Warner pulled the ball back from the right flank and Oliseh Okuguni sidefooted home.

It looked for all the world that Romford would have the chance to restore their lead from the penalty spot when Junior Luke went down under a heavy challenge from Khari James-Thompson, but referee Royan Campbell had other ideas, awarding Ilford a free-kick and yellow carding Luke for simulation.

Sixty seconds later Boro did have the lead, however. Kris Newby’s free-kick into the box was met by an Ilford head, but the ball only went as far as Scott Doe and his deft header was met by Junior Luke, who, looking like a man with a point to prove, burst in front of a static Ilford defender and lashed a right foot shot past Clark from close range.

Boro replaced Dorrell with Amaree Robinson-Jones and introduced Flynn Hamilton, whose deft touch and quick feet created a last minute chance for himself, but his shot from the edge of the penalty area went wide.

A special day at the club’s new home and a win that keeps Boro just three points behind leaders Woodford Town, albeit that they have two games in hand, making Wednesday’s game against them one to relish.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Daniel Nakipov-Getmansky, Scott Doe, Henry Hart, George Cox, Finlay Dorrell (Amaree Robinson-Jones, 78m), Ashaan Siddik (Flynn Hamilton, 66m), Junior Luke, Kris Newby, Charlie Morris. Unused subs: Jacob Wiggins, Toheeb Elegushi, Hassan Nalbant.

Pictures by Bob Knightley and Alan Blackholly.