ROMFORD 1 (0) - (2) 4 Brightlingsea Regent Attendance 104 -Ship Lane

Boro made a bad start with a self inflicted wound in the second minute when James Ishmail's misplaced back pass eluded the advancing Callum Chafer giving ex- Romford man Tom Richardson the simple task of running the ball into an empty net. And after twenty two minutes Richardson was again on hand to steer in a right wing cross despite the best efforts of Danny Cossington who may have got the final touch. There was further bad luck for Cossington later in the first half when he had to be substituted after receiving a nasty facial wound from an elbow. Brightlingsea generally had the better of the early proceedings with a quick passing game that left Boro struggling to gain possession although the home team did create some half chances and came right back into the game in the minutes leading up to the break. Greg Akpele was desperately unlucky after collecting a superb Jamie Dicks through ball and then wrong footing the defence but saw his shot come back of the inside of the post. Akpele then found himself one on one with the Regent keeper who blocked the shot straight back onto the Romford man but the rebound ended the wrong side of the post.

Boro were much improved in the second half and were back in the game after fifty five minutes when Akpele was fouled in the box and although the keeper went the right way for Chinedu McKenzie's penalty it came straight back to the striker who had time to take an extra touch before depositing the ball into the goal. The game became end to end with neither team really getting on top, but after sixty seven minutes Brightlingsea got the vital third when the Romford defence did not deal with a high ball properly and it dropped to Connor Witherspoon to hit home. Boro still had hopes of getting back into the match but they ended as the game entered the final quarter when Kai Bicard received a second yellow card and in the scuffle that followed Dicks was given two yellows in quick succession. The nine men did well to prevent any further damage until a minute from time when substitute Shamido Pedulu got the fourth for the promotion chasing visitors.

Romford now have another home match in midweek when they entertain Thamesmead Town who have recently hit a good run of form after previously dropping down into the danger zone.

ROMFORD (0) 1 CHINEDU MCKENZIE 55

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT (2) 4 RICHARDSON 2, 22, WITHERSPOON 67, PEDULU 89

ROMFORD: CALLUM CHAFER, RYAN BOSWELL, CHRIS BARRY (RYAN MALLETT 64), DANNY COSSINGTON (JONATHAN ADEBAYO 37), JAMES ISHMAIL, JAMIE DICKS, KAI BICHARD, GREG AKPELE, CHINEDU MCKENZIE, NICK REYNOLDS (CHRIS TAYLOR 76), AKWASI MARFO SUBS NOT USED AYO OLUKOGA & WILL GREEN

YELLOW CARDS: JAMES ISHMAIL 11, KAI BICHARD 65, 72, JAMIE DICKS 71,73

RED CARDS: KAI BICHARD 72, JAMIE DICKS 73