Great Wakering Rovers 3 (2) v Romford 1 (0) - Attendance 101

Both sides dealt well with a strong gusty crossfield wind but Boro had the best of the possession at the start only to fall behind after 5 minutes when Richmond received a through ball out on his right wing and, getting away with being at least a yard offside, cut inside and beat the visitor’s keeper Neil Finn with a ball across him and into the net.

This set-back set Romford off on the attack again and they had a series of attempts from on the home goal from corners and snap shots from outside their opponents’ penalty area which either saved by home keeper Luis Green or wide of the target. Notable amongst these was a James Gammons 30 yarder from a move between him and Toran Senghore and a turn and shot from Tenghore which whistled just over the crossbar.

Following this Kurt Smith headed too high from a Paul Kavanagh corner, Paul Clayton just missed getting to a free kick across the home penalty area and Martin Heed and Smith were also unlucky with attempts the latter being from a ball which came high to him which he could only stab at with his knee onto and over the crossbar.

It was during this period of play that Boro thought that they had equalised when Green could only palm out a thunderous right foot shot by Paul Burnett from the left and Smith planted the ball into the roof of the home net only for an offside decision to be given against him or one of his colleagues.

While these continuous raids were happening Great Wakering were reduce to occasional attacks and just before the stroke of half time the home side increased their lead during one of these when, from a raid down their left wing, their player turned in and sent over a low cross for that man Richmond again to select his spot and volley past Finn.

In the second half Rovers, with the cross wind slightly in their favour had more of the play than the first, but Romford still continued their attempts to reduce the deficit with Heed going just too wide from a free kick by Kavanagh and then a number of attempts on goal from visitor corners being unsuccessful.

On 64 minutes Richmond got clear on the right after a tussle with Heed and, having a clear run on goal, coolly slotted the ball across Finn for his hat-trick and give his team a clear three goal lead.

Great Wakering then enjoyed a time of possession and pressure on the Boro goal but couldn’t add to their score. For their part the visitors gradually came back into the game during the last period of play and finally got the goal they so richly deserved when substitute Jay Taylor was tripped while weaving into the home penalty area and Kavanagh gave the Sports keeper no chance with his spot kick.

Romford tried to reduce the deficit even further for the remaining time including three added minutes but were unable to do so.

With the aid of other league results and cancellations Great Wakering Rovers moved to the top of the table with this win while Romford, who can take heart from being as good a team as the new league leaders, maintained their sixteenth place.

Romford squad: Finn, Oxby, Barry, Willis, Kavanagh, Clayton, Gammons (Taylor 72), Heed, Senghore, Smith (Thomas 58), Burnett (Neville 80). Substitute not used: Mulrooney (GK).

Boro now have two league home games. They entertain Ware on Tuesday evening November 17th and then Potters Bar Town the following Saturday November 21st.