Boro Run Riot

Athletic Newham (1) 1, Romford (4) 4 – Essex Senior League – Wednesday 17th April 2024

A first ever win over Athletic Newham was achieved with the minimum of fuss and a three goal boost to goal difference, but a combination of wayward finishing and good goalkeeping prevented Boro from running up a cricket score in the second half.

It took only five minutes for Boro to go in front. Sam Deering’s corner was headed back across goal by Adalberto Pinto and Hassan Nalbant scored from close range. Nalbant could, and should, have had a second after thirteen minutes. Amaree Robinson-Jones was brought down as he powered into the Newham penalty area, but Nalbant’s powerful penalty sailed over the bar and ended up on the running track.

Romford were making all of the running in the early stages against a Newham side that is a shadow of the one that had previously beaten Boro twice this season. After 19 minutes Nalbant got clear on the left and rounded the keeper, but his attempt at goal from an acute angle was hacked away and then Pinto’s header set up Finlay Dorrell for an effort that Jack Ryan in the Newham goal was able to block.

A rare Newham attack ended with Andy Greenslade’s cross from the right passing harmlessly across goal after 22 minutes but a minute later Hassan Nalbant had this 30th goal of the season. A Boro clearance found Sam Deering and the influential midfielder’s clever ball put Nalbant through; he rounded the advancing Ryan and calmly passed the ball into the net.

Within sixty seconds it was 3-0 and this time Nalbant was the provider as having been put through on the right, his cross deflected off a defender and was headed home by Amaree Robinson-Jones, who might have had another when put through by Deering after 26 minutes, but Ryan stuck out a hand and blocked the goalbound effort.

Boro then lost possession from their own goal kick and breathed a sigh of relief as Newham’s Aundre Spencer scuffed his shot wide, but after 35 minutes Jake Robinson – under pressure from a pass back that he couldn’t pick up – turned away from a Newham forward and in attempting a pass across his own six yard box to Remi Sutton, put the ball in his own net for the first league goal conceded since the win at Ilford on 15th March.

Athletic Newham sought to capitalise on this life-line with some rare pressure and Greenslade’s cross from the right was met by Reece Simpson with a volley that went just wide. Finlay Dorrell then had two good chances, shooting wide after 39 minutes, but after 42 minutes he bagged Boro’s fourth when he converted Remi Sutton’s cross from the left that had curled beyond the reach of keeper Ryan.

A catalogue of second half chances were created but not converted as Boro dominated. In the 46th minute, Remi Sutton’s low cross was met by Nalbant but saved at the foot of his post by Ryan and then Jacob Wiggins and Kris Newby both shot wide. Nalbant was put through on the left after an hour, but his shot was turned away for a corner by Ryan.

Newham had a couple of chances in quick succession as Idris Aminu – who had earlier seen a shot deflected away by Scott Doe – blasted over the bar after 71 minutes and a minute later, Simpson’s low shot forced Anderson into a rare diving save.

Hassan Nalbant almost capitalised on a blocked clearance after 74 minutes but shot wide and after 83 minutes he was denied by Ryan’s low save: He then headed wide from the subsequent corner. Nalbant next had two efforts blocked in quick succession after Deering had pulled the ball back from the left after 85 minutes, and in the final minute he was twice denied by Ryan.

A Play-Off place is assured and only Woodford Town can now pip Boro for the runners-up spot, although a Romford win at Buckhurst Hill on Saturday would require them to win both of their remaining games, one of which is against Boro next Wednesday.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Junior Luke (Danny Hurford, 64m), Remi Sutton, Adalberto Pinto (Jacob Wiggins, 46m), Darren Phillips, Scott Doe, Amaree Robinson-Jones (Kris Newby, 42m), Sam Deering, Hassan Nalbant, Ash Siddik (Lee Hursit, 64m), Finlay Dorrell (Toheeb Elegushi, 70m).

Report: Mike Woods