ROMFORD 2 (0) - (1) 1 Great Wakering Rovers Attendance 91 - Ship Lane‏

In a first half that lacked any real quality, Wakering took the lead they just about deserved on the balance of play when on the stroke of half time the Boro defence failed to clear the ball properly and Billy Johnson's left foot drive into the far corner beat Michael Gooch. Romford had started the game pretty well with a Danny Cossington cross just eluding the forwards, while at the other end Gooch had to be alert to tip the ball over the bar from a shot that looked to be dipping in. With the wind picking up, a long Nick Reynolds throw was flicked on by Jamie Dicks to the far post but as Michael Dixon looked ready to fire home the keeper just got his finger tips to the ball and pushed it clear. Akwasi Marfo then picked up the loose ball out on the right and run across the edge of the penalty area before firing just wide. In between times the visitors had looked quicker on the ball and put together some good passing movements in midfield that had culminated in the odd half chance, before their late strike sent them into the interval ahead.

Romford came out for the second half in a much more confident frame of mind playing at a higher tempo and pressing well, and they were soon nearly gifted an equaliser when the keeper dropped the ball, but a defender was on hand to clear just before Marfo could apply the finishing touches. The ball went into touch, but the throw eventually lead to Romford's equaliser with a sublime finish by Nick Reynolds, who flicked in Jamie Dicks' cross with his instep in the fifty-first minute. Great Wakering were now being restricted to long shots that mostly flew well over although one cross to the far post nearly sneaked in but luckily for the hosts, hit the bar. With twenty minutes to go the so important breakthrough came when a Romford corner was crossed in by Dicks to the far post where the ball was chested down by centre back James Ishmail who had ventured forward and smashed into the top corner. Wakering pushed on looking for an equaliser but Romford looked more likely to extend their lead with substitute Greg Akpele going close when he beat the keeper to the ball down the left wing and headed towards goal. From the tight angle he elected to shoot, but hit the side netting when perhaps a pass to the unmarked Chris Taylor might have been the better option. With time running out Romford now concentrated on keeping possession before the referee blew the whistle, leaving them six points clear of the relegation zone with five games to play.

ROMFORD (0) 2 NICK REYNOLDS 51, JAMES ISHMAIL 70
GREAT WAKERING ROVERS (1) 1 JOHNSON 45

ROMFORD: MICHAEL GOOCH, RYAN BOSWELL, CHRIS BARRY, JAMES ISHMAIL, TOM POTTER, DANNY COSSINGTON, JAMIE DICKS, REION MCFARLANE (ADEYINKA COLE 67), NICK REYNOLDS (GREG AKPELE 85), AKWASI MARFO, MICHAEL DIXON (CHRIS TAYLOR 75) SUBS NOT USED TOM ANDERSON

YELLOW CARD: RYAN BOSWELL 24, TOM POTTER 90