Dereham Town 1 (0) - (0) 0 ROMFORD Attendance 138 - Aldiss Park8

After surviving an early pitch inspection it was heavy going on the wide expanses of Aldiss Park and although there was some good football played in midfield, both sides struggled to create much for a long time. The Magpies came into the match on an eleven match unbeaten run and had a couple of half chances with a cross in from the left deflected wide of the post and another effort hit straight at Michael Gooch in the Boro goal. Romford's first serious attempt came after twenty four minutes when Chris Taylor saw his first time shot blocked after a knock down by Chinedu McKenzie and debutant Adeyinka Cole had his low drive saved and another effort from twenty five yards go wide after running through from midfield. At the other end Gooch was forced into a double save and then found himself facing a penalty after a Dereham man was tripped in the box when not really presenting any danger. However the Boro keeper guessed right and brilliantly got down to deflect wide Tuttle's firm drive which was heading into the corner. Before the half time whistle went there was still time for Akwasi Marfo to get sight of an empty net after the home keeper was stranded out of his goal, but the Boro winger's shot from a long way out was deflected past the post.

After the break the home team put Romford under early pressure and a forward drove wide after getting a clear shot at goal and Gooch then had to save another attempt from a wide angle. For Romford, Nick Reynolds had the ball taken off his toe by an excellent last ditch tackle after being played through by Marfo and the visitors were now having their best spell of the game, but nothing was falling kindly for them upfront. George Woodward drove wide from thirty yards, and the travelling contingent were becoming increasingly optimistic of returning home with at least a point, but with twelve minutes remaining a long Dereham clearance down the left was turned across goal for a home forward to try his luck. The shot was cleared but fell to Jake Anema advancing out of defence and his effort from just outside the area flew low and hard through the crowded goalmouth. Gooch managed to get a hand in the way but could not prevent it crossing the line. In the time remaining Romford continued to get forward and had plenty of possession in the Dereham half but could not really manufacture anything to seriously trouble the keeper.

DEREHAM TOWN (0) 0 ANEMA 78,

ROMFORD (0) 0

ROMFORD: MICHAEL GOOCH, RYAN BOSWELL ,GEORGE WOODWARD, MATT FREW (BESFORT SADIKU 86), TOM POTTER, TOM ANDERSON, ADEYINKA COLE, CHRIS TAYLOR (ZAK TALHA 68), NICK REYNOLDS (DEAN ELLUL 79) ,CHINEDU MCKENZIE, AKWASI MARFO

MATCH REPORT BY PHIL REDWIN