Romford 4(3) v VCD Athletic 2 (1) - Attendance 99

Right from the kick off the home team moved the ball quickly and skilfully across and down the pitch and, when their opponents were in possession, they closed them down and speedily went on the attack again.

It was no surprise when the home side took a deserved lead fifteen minutes into the game Martin Heed putting an accurate ball through to Toran Senghore whose strong run at goal resulted in an opportunity which he put away well.

There were several promising home attacks after this which did not result in any further goals while the Vickers’ attacks in response to this set-back were dealt with firmly by the home defence.

On 36 minutes, however, Romford went further ahead when a Paul Burnett/Remi Nelson move let Burnett through on goal and he curled his scoring shot past the left hand of James Tedder in the opposing goal.

Just before the half time break there were scoring successes for both sides. Firstly Boro went into a three goal lead when a low full blooded Burnett free kick from just outside the VCD penalty area was diverted by Paul Clayton into the visitors’ net and then Vickers pulled one back when a cross from their right was met on the volley and looped right footed into the home net by their number ten Aaron Firth.

VCD generally had the better of the play at the restart as they fought back having been buoyed by their late first half goal and it took Boro a little while to regain their first half composure again.

No further goals were scored by either side until later on in the second half when Romford resumed their three goal lead to go 4-1 up. This resulted from good run from Burnett on the right followed by a testing high cross in from him to which the visiting keeper could only get the tips of his fingers. As the ball dropped down on the goal line both Heed and a defender lunged for it with the latter player got to it first but could only help it into his own net.

To their credit Vickers still wouldn’t give up trying and were rewarded with their efforts two minutes before the full ninety when, from another right wing cross, Firth headed in his and his team’s second goal.

Both side strove for a further goal which wasn’t forthcoming and, after 4minutes of added time, the match ended with three very welcome league points in the bag for Romford.

As I said at the start this was a very good all round performance by the home side. All the players looked comfortable in their positions and with their allotted roles which, hopefully, augers well for the games to come.

Romford squad: Finn, Port (Barry 85), Kavanagh, White, Clayton, Gammons, Heed, Nelson, Thomas, Senghore, Burnett. Substitutes not used: Taylor, Willis and Mulrooney (GK).

Boro now have two Ryman One North games in a row which are away at Leyton this coming Saturday October 31st and at then home to Heybridge Swifts on Saturday November 7th. These are followed by a league cup tie on Tuesday November 10th at home to Maidstone United.