East Thurrock United 1 (1) v Romford 0 (0) - Attendance 133

Our pre match line up was also affected by not having both our first choice full backs and two influential midfielders available for a mixture of work and injury reasons.

The Rocks, taking advantage of a strong end to end wind, showed the strength to be expected from a team who were just pipped at the post for the league title last season by putting Romford under pressure from the opening whistle with confident wing to wing attacking play. But the visiting back four of Dean Neville and Paul Kavanagh who had moved back from his normal forward position together with excellent newcomer Jay Taylor who shared the double centre half roles with a reliable-as-always Jack Barry kept them at bay. When the home forwards did get through Boro keeper Neil Finn was on hand to make some important saves.

For their part Romford were limited to occasional forays into home territory in the first half but almost snatched a lead half way through it when Jimmy Noakes with his back to goal turned the ball quickly and hit a right foot shot which whistled past the outside of the Rocks left hand uprigh with their goalkeeper Richard Wray scrambling across his goal-line but with no chance of stopping it should it have been on target.

East Thurrock were rewarded for their pressure just after thirty minutes of play when Kye Ruel was put through on goal from what a number of people in attendance thought could have been an offside position and although Finn got his hand to a low down shot he was deemed to have brought the advancing player down as well and a penalty was given. After all the usual protestations died down Kris Newby strode up and hit a low shot just past Finn’s outstretched right hand and inside hia right hand upright.

Play more or less followed the same pattern as before but the score did not change with the Rocks going keeping just a one goal lead up to the half time whistle.

With the wind at their backs after the break Boro, for whom Danny Jones returning from injury had replaced striker Shaun Clarke, enjoyed more of the possession than the first period and began to give the home defence a lot to think about but did not create any clear cut chances to be able to get back on terms.

For their part the home side were always dangerous and fifteen minutes into the half during one of their breaks full back Chris Duffy was unlucky to see his low shot come back off Romford’s right hand upright.

On 75 minutes Boro made two further forward substitutions to try to put their opposing defenders under more pressure. Central defender Paul White, also returning from injury, plus Rob Whitnell came on replacing Noakes and Dean Nyman in the forward line to add a little more height and try to take advantage of the wind assisted high balls coming through but to no avail.

East Thurrock netted the ball twice in the final period of play but had their claims for goals disallowed for offside and Finn made a couple of important saves while Romford were unable to take advantage of a couple of free kicks from dangerous positions and a few late corners as were the home side also.

Two minutes of added time were played but neither side could add to the scoreline so the Rocks got the three points and Boro who had tried their best had to be satisfied with holding the league leaders to just one goal and preventing them from scoring from open play while always being in with a chance of sneaking at least a point.

*Romford have no game this coming midweek but on Saturday 12th September they have an important home FA Cup tie against league rivals Concord Rangers to decide who will progress into the First Round Qualifying.

Romford squad: Finn, Port, Kavanagh, Taylor, Clayton, Tubey, D.Neville, Noakes (White 76), Clarke (Jones 46), Nyman (Whitnell 76). Substitutes not used: Wilson, Matthews (GK).

*Our Under 18 side do have an FA Youth Cup match away to Chelmsford City this coming Wednesday September 9th at their Melbourne Park Stadium grount. Kick off 7.30. Adults £3, Concessions £1.