ROMFORD 3 (2) - (0) 0 Norwich United Attendance 63 - Ship Lane

They already knew that that Tom Potter and Paul Preston would be unavailable for selection and when centre back James Ishmail failed a fitness test shortly before kick off it called for some unorthodox last minutes changes to the defence by manager Paul Martin, with midfielder Jonathan Adebayo being drafted in at right back taking the place of Ryan Boswell who moved inside to play alongside Matt Toms at centre back. Versatile Chris Barry also returned from injury at left back to replace Preston and the whole back line deserve much praise for their response to the situation. Despite all this defensive disruption The Boro were dominant from start to finish, fully deserving the three points. An early attack in the seventh minute ended with Ryan Mallett’s deflected shot dipping just the wrong side of the bar and six minutes later inform striker Chinedu McKenzie beat his man and pulled the ball back to Asher Modeste, but his first shot was blocked before the rebound was smothered by the keeper. McKenzie then had a great chance to open the scoring after Ayo Olukoga picked out the forward but once again keeper Andy Wilton was quick off his line and saved the goal bound effort.

As half time approached it seemed Romford would go into the break unrewarded for their dominance, but they opened the scoring when Olukoga and McKenzie combined well on the edge of the box, before the latter’s shot was pushed wide for a corner that was eventually cleared to Jamie Dicks on the left wing, and his dipping cross was sliced into the path of Modeste to poke home in the fortieth minute. The hosts did not want the half to end with McKenzie having a shot blocked and Will Green toe poking the ball just the wrong side of the post after great build up play by Mallett and Olukoga, and then in first half injury time McKenzie set up Olukoga, but a last ditch challenge denied the midfielder and the ball went out behind for a corner. The kick was half cleared but found it’s way to Mallett in the box who bundled his way past three men before McKenzie swivelled and smashed the ball home to double Romford’s advantage.

Norwich’s manager was furious with his team and some his words heard from outside the dressing room were unrepeatable, but it only lasted a few minutes as his team were back on the field with nearly ten minutes of half time still remaining. Unfortunately his pep talk did not get the desired effect as Romford continued to boss the play in the second period and Dicks nearly grabbed the third on the hour as he out jumped the keeper, but his header went just wide. Dicks and Green both had further goal bound efforts saved while at the other end Callum Chafer produced a stunning save, flying full stretch to tip the ball onto the bar and keep his clean sheet intact.

In the eightieth minute McKenzie nearly grabbed his second after a miskick in the box, but his quick reaction were not quite good enough and the ball went just wide and Olukoga’s low drive was kicked clear by O’Sullivan. However with a minute left to play the ball was spread out wide to substitute David Manu and after easily beating his man, he looked up and picked out McKenzie at the far post whose bullet header was too strong and could only be parried into the net. The three goal margin was Romford’s biggest win of the season, and the only slight disappointment would be how they had not scored more but from their performances over the last few weeks they should have the confidence not to fear anyone.

ROMFORD (2) 3 ASHER MODESTE 40, CHINEDU MCKENZIE 45+2, 89

NORWICH UNITED (0) 0

ROMFORD: CALLUM CHAFER, RYAN BOSWELL, CHRIS BARRY, JONATHAN ADEBAYO, MATT TOMS, ASHER MODESTE (DAVID MANU 71), RYAN MALLETT, JAMIE DICKS, CHINEDU MCKENZIE, AYO OLUKOGA, WILL GREEN (NICK REYNOLDS 86) SUBS NOT USED JAMES ISHMAIL, CHRIS TAYLOR & RICHARD WRAY

YELLOW CARD: JAMIE DICKS 84