A somewhat fortuitous early goal from Hullbridge’s Solomon Ofori proved to be the winner in a thoroughly forgettable affair that saw Romford fail to register a goal for the first time in a competitive game this season.

There were just five minutes on the clock when Ofori lifted a hopeful cross from the left that floated over the head of Boro keeper Jake Anderson and flopped in at the far post. The visitors were clearly eager to build on their early lead and when Anderson was pressured into a hasty clearance, Michael Dixon shot wide.

Boro’s passing lacked fluency and accuracy in the first period and all too often found an opponent rather than a team mate, while the long balls hoisted in Hassan Nalbant’s direction were easily fended off by the visiting central defenders. Hullbridge had more possession but their chances were limited in a first half that rarely got out of second gear.

It wasn’t until the 20th minute that Boro had a shot at goal. Junior Luke’s long throw was headed out as far as Charlie Morris and his first time shot was beaten away by Hullbridge’s former Romford keeper Lamar Joseph-Johnson. The next chance of note fell to Hullbridge’s Dixon but his effort from outside the box was comfortably saved by Anderson.

Henry Hart goes round the Hullbridge keeper but is denied by an offside flag. Picture by Bob Knightley with fellow snapper Alan Blackholly in the background!

Just after the half hour, Morris set up Nalbant for a shot that was blocked for corner, and from Flynn Hamilton’s flag kick, Morris directed a header straight at Joseph-Johnson. Dixon then had another chance for the visitors that he scooped over the crossbar, but Boro went close to an equaliser in the second minute of first half stoppage time. Kris Newby’s low shot was fumbled away by Joseph-Johnson and Junior Luke headed across goal from the resulting corner.

Romford dominated possession in the second half but their passing continued to lack incisiveness and clear cut chances were few. Henry Hart had a decent opportunity in just the second minute of the second period when Nalbant’s cross was headed on by Morris, but the young Boro full-back’s shot rose just over the bar.

Morris had a shot blocked for a corner just after the hour and Daniel Nakipov-Getmansky had a header from Kris Newby’s cross comfortably gathered by Joseph-Johnson after 71 minutes. Morris then sidefooted a low cross from the left wide of goal after 76 minutes, and in the penultimate minute of the game, Morris met a low cross by Hart only to see Hullbridge clear off the line. At the other end, Jake Anderson was so under-employed that he had nothing to do other than receive back passes.

In contrast to last Saturday at Saffron Walden, where Boro produced an excellent display and deservedly picked up maximum points, this was game in which they never really got going and were kept at bay by a solid Hullbridge side. One to forget, put behind us and move on.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Henry Hart, Jamie Hursit, Daniel Nakipov-Getmansky, Darren Phillips (Ashaan Siddik, 46m), Junior Luke, Kris Newby, George Cox, Hassan Nalbant (Finlay Dorrell, 70m), Flynn Hamilton (Amaree Robinson-Jones, 82m), Charlie Morris. Unused subs: Jacob Wiggins, Lee Hursit.