ROMFORD 3 (1) - (3) 3 Heybridge Swifts Attendance 80 - Ship Lane

For the first time in many months Paul Martin had two specialist central defenders available for selection but the defence was still disrupted when Chris Barry had to be a late change for Kwasi Marfo who was injured in the warm up. Swifts could have opened the scoring almost immediately after kick off when a forward was clear on goal, but his shot was saved by Callum Chafer who has excelled many times this season in one on one situations. Then, with still only three minutes on the clock new Boro signing David Fallah received the ball in the box with a clear sight of goal after some great build up play. He looked to have missed his chance when closed down and pushed wide by a defender but managed to beat him, then square the ball back from the goal line to surprise the Heybridge keeper who could only palm it into the goal. Romford's lead did not last for long though, as shortly after Reece Grant equalised with a sidefoot shot past Chafer. The frenetic action continued when Chris Barry's shot was well saved and then Boro were denied a stonewall penalty when Fallah was tripped from behind when through on goal.

After twenty minutes Chinedu McKenzie was unlucky to see his shot take a slight deflection and hit the post and with Romford on top it just looked a matter of time before they would get back in front. However it was Heybridge who would go into the break with a two goal lead after taking advantage of the strong wind with a couple of powerful long throws into the box that caused chaos in the Romford defence. The first in the thirty sixth minute was headed home by Lewis Godbold and although Chafer managed to get a fist on the second a minute before half time, the ball spun back into the goalmouth where Adam Bolle managed to bundle it in amongst all the bodies on the line.

With the wind now in their favour Romford were hoping for a change of fortune in the second half but were frustrated by Heybridge who defended well and restricted the home team to few opportunities. McKenzie was the main threat with a shot and then a header going narrowly wide and then being denied by an excellent save after creating an opening for himself on seventy three minutes.

Two minutes into added time it looked like a comfortable win for Swifts but Boro were not throwing the towel in and from a corner the ball was knocked out to Ryan Mallet who hammered it in through a crowded goalmouth for what seemed like a consolation goal. However Romford went straight back on the attack, throwing everyone forward and with ninety five minutes on the clock Fallah twice saw his crosses from the left cleared, but the second was received by skipper James Ishmail on the corner of the penalty box and he smashed it in to spark wild celebrations.

It was draw that felt like a win and epitomised the never give up attitude Romford players always show, no matter what the situation. And a special mention for Kai Bichard who although serving a suspension, turned up with his drum(!) and lead the noisy support from the terraces.

MATCH REPORT BY PHIL REDWIN

ROMFORD (1) 3 David FALLAH 3, Ryan MALLET 92, James ISHMAIL 95
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS (3) 3 GRANT 8, GODBOLD 36, BOLLE 44

ROMFORD: Callum CHAFER, Ryan BOSWELL, Chris BARRY, Tom POTTER, James ISHMAIL (c), Danny COSSINGTON, Ayo OLUKOGA (Ryan MALLET 80), David FALLAH, Chinedu MCKENZIE, Chris TAYLOR (Nick REYNOLDS 73), Abdeen ABDUL (Jonathan ADEBAYO 73)
SUBS NOT USED: Richard WRAY, Charlie PARRISH