Concord Rangers 6 (1) - (0) 0 ROMFORD Attendance - Thames Road

Old adversaries Concord are now two levels above Boro as well as being the county cup holders and had put eight goals past Harlow in the previous round, so what was always going to be a tough task became even harder with the news that both Romford's goalkeepers were unavailable on the night. Yet again striker Nick Reynolds deputised, and whilst some of his techniques were a tad unorthodox he was to make a number of excellent saves during the match that would have done justice to a regular keeper at most levels.

With a team containing mainly regular first choice players and Steve King and Max Cornhill who had both started their senior careers with Romford, the home side attacked from the start but came up against what was looking like a well drilled Boro midfield and defence. The forwards were mainly restricted to breakaways but Lee Weemes actually had the first half chance of the match and saw his shot saved. Concord came nearest when Steve King's header came back off the foot of the post. While not looking entirely comfortable Romford now had hopes of going to the interval all square but when they attempted a short corner in the forty first minute possession was lost and the hosts broke quickly downfield. Ben Greenhalgh found himself clear on goal and was able to draw Reynolds out before rolling the ball into the empty net. Shortly after Reynolds had to make a great save from a header to keep the score down to a single goal at half time.

Concord gained momentum by going two up after only three minutes of the second period with Steve Cawley giving Reynolds no chance. Romford were not disheartened and mounted a couple of good attacks of their own with George Woodward's cross flashing across goal without anybody able to get the final touch and a good Akwasi Marfo run setting up Chinedu McKenzie to blast his shot not too far wide.
On the hour Joe Gardner dribbled past Reynolds to net Concord's third and they were five up by the sixty fifth minute after further goals from a Max Cornhill header and Greenhalgh's second strike of the evening. Boro now showed real character by not throwing in the towel with Reynolds performing heroics when required. Some good defence allowed the forwards to mount breakaways with McKenzie and Robbie Farrell forcing the home keeper into action. Just as it seemed Romford were going to escape without further damage Reynolds mistimed challenge brought an added time penalty for Concord and Cawley converted with the last kick of the match.

CONCORD RANGERS (1) 6 GREENHALGH 41,65, CAWLEY 48, 90 (PEN), GARDNER 60, CORNHILL 64

ROMFORD (0) 0

ROMFORD: NICK REYNOLDS, HARRY CULHAM (TOM POTTER 45), GEORGE WOODWARD, MATT FREW, MOSHOOD OLAFUNMISHE, GEORGE TUBEY, LIAM BURGESS, ROBBIE FARRELL, LEE WEEMES (JOE SCOTT 75), CHINEDU MCKENZIE (CHRIS TAYLOR 75), AKWASI MARFO SUBS NOT USED JAKED GIDDINGS, SHOMARI BARNWELL