ROMFORD 2 (1) - (2) 6 Maldon & Tiptree Attendance 114 - Ship Lane

After last Saturday's tough trip to the Ryman North champions Boro now had to face the side looking favourites for the runners up spot with an even more depleted squad. Injuries and other unavailability meant positional changes in the team and only three outfield players on the bench, so it was a morale booster when they took the lead after only five minutes. Chinedu McKenzie picked up a loose ball just outside the box and although the keeper parried his shot, Ayo Olukoga was quickly on to the rebound and had the simple task of placing the ball into an unguarded net.

Maldon were looking slightly the more polished of the two teams and they equalised after nineteen minutes when Adam Mills crossed in from the left and prolific scorer Sam Newson was on hand to convert from close range. And eight minutes later they were ahead through Jerry Kamanzi who made space for himself before wrongfooting Callum Chafer in the Boro goal with his shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Romford were much improved from the start of the second half and McKenzie got clear before shooting not too far over. The visitors went close as well and there was also a minor scare for Boro when Newson went down in the box, but he did not seem too surprised when the referee yellow carded him for simulation. Romford were deservedly back on terms after fifty four minutes when Ryan Boswell's corner went over everyone in the goalmouth before being retrieved by McKenzie. His cross back in was headed out to skipper James Ishmail on the edge of the box who hit a curling shot over the defence and into the far corner.

McKenzie smashed another shot not too far over after a great run from Boswell and Maldon missed what can only be described as an open goal, but they went back into the lead on seventy seven minutes when Adam Mills headed in a right wing cross. Three minutes later Boro received another blow when Ryan Mallett, who had filled in well in an unfamiliar right back position was giving a very harsh straight red card for what looked like nothing more than a routine foul, with the referee's decision perhaps being swayed when he was surrounded by a posse of visiting players as also happened in the game against Bury Town a few weeks ago.

With nothing to lose, Romford tried to get forward to save the game but inevitably spaces were left at the back and they were ruthlessly exploited by Maldon three times just before the final whistle with substitute Liam Nash scoring after 90 minutes and Newson grabbing two more to complete his hat trick in added time.

ROMFORD (1) 2 Ayo OLUKOGA 5, James ISHMAIL 54
MALDON & TIPTREE (2) 6 NEWSON 19 93 94, KAMANZI 27, NASH 90

ROMFORD: Callum CHAFER, Ryan MALLETT, Akwasi MARFO, Tom POTTER, James ISMAIL (C), Chris BARRY (Jack BROWNE-SYKES 81), Nick REYNOLDS (Greg AKPELE 74), Ryan BOSWELL, Chinedu MCKENZIE, Chris TAYLOR, Ayo OLUKOGA
SUBS NOT USED: Danny COSSINGTON, Stephen REYNOLDS

RED CARD: Ryan MALLET 80
YELLOW CARD: Tom POTTER 81