Waltham Abbey 1 (0) - (1) 1 ROMFORD Attendance 101 - Capershotts

After their home win over Abbey only a fortnight ago Romford were looking to complete an early double and enjoyed a lot of possession in the first half hour. They nearly took the lead on three minutes when a back pass caught the keeper unawares and he had to scamper back to stop it going in, before his clearance was blocked by Chinedu McKenzie who was only able to put the ball wide of the goal. On nineteen minutes Romford earned a throw down the left that George Woodward took quickly, finding Chinedu McKenzie free in the box. He pulled the ball back to Akwasi Marfo, but despite the winger's shot being blocked the ball fell kindly to Chinedu McKenzie who was able to score from a yard out. Despite all their territorial advantage Romford could mostly only muster long range efforts as the host's defence stood firm, with George Woodward's right footed drive drifting wide and a Harry Culham header also missing the target. Abbey centre back Elliott Johnson could have been sent off around the half hour mark with a high, late challenge on Jake Giddings but the referee decided that the tackle was only worthy of a yellow card despite the stud marks on the midfielder's thigh. At the other end Abbey nearly equalised on half time but Michael Gooch made an excellent save from a fierce shot.

The second half was a complete change with Abbey enjoying a lot more of the ball and pegging Romford back without being too threatening in front of goal, but Romford could have made it two when a fifty-third minute through ball by George Woodward found Chinedu McKenzie down the left hand side of the penalty area and with a neat bit of skill he cut inside his marker but his effort went way over the bar. Four minutes later and Michael Gooch produced a good save, flying across his goal and pushing the ball away from a long range drive but with Romford defending deeper and deeper man of the match Ryan Boswell produced some excellent defending on more than one occasion to keep the visitors at bay, while Matt Frew also produced a great tackle when the Abbey striker looked like he was clear on goal. Alas, Romford could not hold out as a long ball found Christian Assombalonga on the edge of the penalty area and his left foot half volley beat the diving Michael Gooch to give the hosts a well earned share of the spoils. On a sadder note Romford had to play the last five minutes with ten men when young centre back Sam Burton fell awkwardly and looked to have broken his collar bone.

WALTHAM ABBEY (0) 1 ASSOMBALONGA 84

ROMFORD (1) 1 CHINEDU MCKENZIE 19

ROMFORD: MICHAEL GOOCH, RYAN BOSWELL, GEORGE WOODWARD, MATT FREW, SAM BURTON, GEORGE TUBEY (JOE SCOTT 73), CONNOR GOLDSTONE, JAKE GIDDINGS (ROBBIE FARRELL 56), AKWASI MARFO, CHINEDU MCKENZIE, HARRY CULHAM (LUKE STANLEY 56) SUBS NOT USED TOM POTTER, NICK REYNOLDS

YELLOW CARD: HARRY CULHAM 32