ROMFORD 2 (2) - (0) 0 Aveley Attendance 85

Manager Paul Martin had watched Aveley's home win two days earlier and Romford got their tactics spot on in a first half which they dominated, pushing forward from the kick off. The first chance came after 6 minutes with Nick REYNOLDS playing his fellow striker Ryan IMBERT through, but the shot was comfortably stopped by Aveley keeper Giddens who was to have a very busy half. 5 minutes later Boro really should have taken the lead as Robbie NORRIS set Ryan IMBERT free down the right and his pulled back cross was hit well by Tom RICHARDSON but brilliantly pushed around the post by the keeper. From the resulting corner Paul CLAYTON leapt highest and headed against the bar and Ryan IMBERT'S volley from the rebound was deflected over. So another corner, and Paul CLAYTON came even closer as his volley was cleared off (or as some spectators claimed, from behind) the goal line.
Aveley's first meaningful attack was after 19 minutes but the shot which just cleared the crossbar seemed to be well covered by Boro keeper Atu NGOY. A minute later down at the other end, Nick REYNOLD'S long throw eluded the whole defence and finally Tom RICHARDSON at full stretch.
On 25 minutes Romford had reasonable shouts for two penalties turned down in the same move as Abs SEYMOUR was clipped on the edge of the box before the loose ball was crossed in and keeper Giddens seemed to take out Tom RICHARDSON a split second before he would have reached the ball.
Boro finally went deservedly ahead after 35 minutes when after a sustained attack Abs SEYMOUR'S cross from the right was powerfully headed over the keeper and into the goal by Nick REYNOLDS.
Aveley tried to come back from the restart but Boro's next attack 5 minutes later saw Tom RICHARDSON cleverly putting through Ryan IMBERT to flick the second goal past the advancing keeper.
The second half was to prove a far more even contest but Romford should have gone further ahead in the first minute when Abs SEYMOUR put Ryan IMBERT clean through but his shot was too high.
Aveley started to mount some sustained attacks and for the first time in in the match the Romford defence was put under a bit of pressure. Chances were created, but with the defence and midfield defending in depth and making some last ditch tackles heroic blocks, the two goal lead remained intact and Boro substitute Eddie HART had a great chance to put them further ahead immediately after replacing Nick REYNOLDS, who like the rest of the team had worked tirelessly.
As the game was drawing to the close, Aveley exerted more pressure and had a shot from a corner cleared from very close in. The tension resulted in some minor shananigans between the two benches and briefly spread onto the field, but it was all dealt with sensibly by the ref who kept his cards in his pocket.8
The final chance came and went as an Aveley free kick on the edge of the box was charged down and Romford comfortably played out the 5 minutes of added time to collect the welcome three points.

ROMFORD 2 Nick REYNOLDS 35, Ryan Imbert 40
Aveley 0

ROMFORD: Atu NGOY, David OTTLEY, Jamie DICKS, Jack BARRY (c), Matt TOMS, Paul CLAYTON (George WOODWARD 89), Robbie NORRIS (Joe OATES 75), Abs SEYMOUR, Nick REYNOLDS (Eddie HART 66), Ryan IMBERT, Tom RICHARDSON
Unused Substitutes: James ISHMAIL, Aaron OMAND

Match report by Phil Redwin