ROMFORD 0 (0) - (1) 3 Tilbury Attendance 113 - Ship Lane

Manager Paul Martin kept to the same line up that had started in the great midweek derby victory, but it was a slow start for both teams before the game sprang into life. Twice Shamari Barnwell got free down the left side where he looks most effective and on the first occasion his cross caused havoc in the Tilbury penalty area with defenders having to desperately block three Boro on target shots in quick succession. Four minutes later he got in another cross which was just out of reach of the onrushing Ryan Boswell who would have had the goal at his mercy. However after seventeen minutes the Romford back line was breached as Cook suddenly broke through and cleverly wrong footed Boro keeper Michael Gooch and finished well.
Romford went back on the attack, prompted by their hard working midfield and some skilful touches from Greg Akpele but Shomari Barnwell was still having no luck, just failing to control the ball cleanly when through on goal and setting up another chance for Ryan Boswell which was put just the wrong side of the goal. Then just to put the icing on his cake he received a ludicrous yellow card after being kicked on the back of the leg by a Tilbury defender's follow through who of course went down hurt. There were two more bits of action as the interval approached with Chris Barry looking like he was going to score from close in before his shot was kicked off the line and Michael Gooch having to tip over a powerful Tilbury header.
Romford started the second half reasonably well with Greg Akpele getting in two dangerous looking shots, the first well saved and the second blocked, but thereafter whilst still creating some good situations, could not produce that final killer ball. As they pushed forward gaps started to appear in the defence with Nathan Cooper having to make some good tackles to avert danger.
On seventy five minutes a Romford clearance was put straight back into a crowded area and Aiken produced an excellent turn and shot into the top corner. Two goals ahead, Tilbury now began to dominate for the first time in the match and denied Romford any more real chances. After eighty four minutes and looking well offside, Richmond found himself through on the Romford goal and made no mistake for Tilbury's third.

ROMFORD (0) 0

TILBURY (1) 3 COOK 17, AIKEN 75, RICHMOND 85

ROMFORD: MICHAEL GOOCH, ROBBIE NORRIS (REECE COSSON 71), JAMIE DICKS, MATT FREW, NATHAN COOPER, CHRIS BARRY (NICK REYNOLDS 65), JAKE GIDDINGS (CHRIS TAYLOR 79), SHOMARI BARNWELL, JOE BRICKNELL, GREG AKPELE SUBS NOT USED: GEORGE WOODWARD, ATU NGOY

YELLOW CARDS: JAMIE DICKS 22, SHOMARI BARNWELL 29, ROBBIE NORRIS 31, JAKE GIDDINGS 45, MATT FREW 63