Redbridge 3 (1) v 0 (0) Romford - Attendance 125

The Motormen were first off the mark and made a number of raids on their opponents’ goal while their visitors tried to get their game together.

It took the home side only six minutes to open their account when a swinging Ryan Wade free kick from right mid field was touched just inside Lamar Johnson’s right hand upright by Ben Turpin.

There were no more goals in the first half as this local derby developed into an ill tempered encounter for the rest of its 90 minutes plus.

As the second half began Romford were still trying to get their game together to mount up some meaningful attacks but their efforts to get on equal terms continued to seem to be constantly thwarted by controversial and unsympathetic decisions from the man in the middle but when they did get near the Redbridge goal they were unable to trouble the home keeper with their efforts.

In order to try to change their attacking options a little Boro made a couple of substitutions on 65 minutes with Tony Martin and Jamie Dicks coming on for Jahmel Heywoord and Joe Oates respectively but it was the Motormen who added to their total three minutes after this with Joe Gardner being put clear in front of goal and scoring with a low shot although there was a hint of him being offside when he received the ball.

The hosts added to their total and almost took the score beyond their visitors’ reach on 78 minutes when some poor Romford play in midfield gave Gardner the chance to score his second which he did with a lob over Johnson’s outstretched hand.

As the game drew to a close tempers were raised higher in the visitors penalty area with a few yellow cards being issued to both sides and on the 90 minute mark the Boro had their best chance to score a consolation goal but Chris Richardson was unable to control the ball at the last moment and home keeper Joe Wright was able to get down and take the ball from his feet.

Romford squad: Johnson, Ottley, Kavanagh, Clifton, Toms, Seymour, Clayton, Heywoord (Martin 65), Skidmore, Richardson, Oates (Dicks 65).
Substitutes not used: Long, Lord and Anderson (GK).

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ALL THE NEW YEAR'S EVE RYMAN ONE NORTH RESULTS

Cheshunt 0 - 2 Leiston

Harlow Town 3 - 0 Chatham Town

Ilford 0 - 0 AFC Sudbury

Maldon & Tiptree 3 - 2 Great Wakering Rovers

Needham Market 3 - 4 Heybridge Swifts

Redbridge 3 - 0 Romford

Thamesmead Town 0 - 1 Brentwood Town

Tilbury 2 - 1 Enfield Town

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Happy New Year to all the readers of the Boro website.