ROMFORD 1 (1) - (0) 2 Bowers & Pitsea Attendance 111 - Ship Lane

This was obviously not a good result to celebrate Paul Martin's 450th game in charge of the team, but just as in the previous match at Great Wakering Romford could not fully capitalise on a very good first half performance before the visitors completely turned things around in the second period to take the points.
It was a good start from Boro and after Chinedu McKenzie had gone close early on they took the lead in the eighth minute. From a corner that was cleared, the ball was picked up outside the penalty area by Tarren Dhariwel whose low left foot shot flew through the advancing Bowers defenders and nestled in the bottom corner to record his first goal for the club. Romford were certainly having the best of proceedings, but with Bowers still looking dangerous on the break the home defence had to be alert on a couple of occasions with a header being deflected past the post and Jonathan Adebayo having to scramble a shot off the line.
Exactly a week ago against Waltham Abbey a defensive aberration had gifted McKenzie a goal and a Bowers defender almost reprised the incident, but this time Jamie Dicks did not have such a good sight of goal and could only put his shot narrowly past the post. On twenty five minutes Adebayo showed a lovely piece of skill to beat his man on a foray forward but could only slice his shot wide, and McKenzie had an effort blocked after being set up by a nicely cushioned header from Chris Taylor.
Towards the end of the half things got a bit fractious when Warner slid in very late on Chafer, earning a yellow card for the Bowers man and also for Ryan Boswell and Adebayo who rushed in to protect their grounded keeper a bit too rigorously for the official's liking.

The visitors began the second half a lot more fired up and it only took them four minutes to restore parity. They won a couple of corners, and from the second Manor was able to drift unmarked to the back post and head home. Bowers were continuing to look dangerous, particularly down the Boro left and Martin sent on long serving utility man Chris Barry for a welcome return after a month out injured. Shortly after Boro had a couple of decent chances with Will Green volleying over and a free kick causing problems in the goalmouth before being hit into the side netting.
After sixty eight minutes Bowers again attacked swiftly down the right and although Matt Toms put in a great tackle on the recipient of the cross, the resulting loose ball found it's way to the lurking Manor who made no mistake in converting his second of the match.
Boro were now on the back foot and could not get enough players forward to trouble the visitors too much and had to defend in depth against a number of attacks with Chafer making a couple of very good saves to keep his side in the match. However with Bowers being unable to put the game to bed as it went into the last ten minutes Romford managed to rally themselves for a final effort. Their best chance fell to Green who could only fire over after being played in by McKenzie's flick on ninety minutes, but there was still a lengthy period of added time and Boro were able to win two free kicks in good positions which eventually came to naught after being crossed deep into the crowded Bowers goal area.

ROMFORD (1) 1 Tareen Dhariwel 8

BOWERS & PITSEA (0) 2 Manor 49,68

ROMFORD: Callum Chafer, Jonathan Adebayo, Tarren Dhariwell (Chris Barry 60), Matt Toms, Ryan Boswell, Danny Cossington (Ayodeji Olukoga 71), James Age, Jamie Dicks, Chinedu McKenzie, Chris Taylor (Ryan Mallet 71), Will Green.
Sub Not Used: Nick Reynolds.

Yellow Cards: Ryan Boswell 35, Jonathan Adebayo 35, Will Green 45, Danny Cossington 65.