ROMFORD 4 (3) - (1) 3 Hullbridge Sports Attendance 123 - Ship Lane

The visitors have had a good opening to their Essex Senior League campaign and also started this game strongly with Luke Hornsley hitting the upright in the second minute, and then taking the lead when Robert Hodgson headed home unmarked a minute later. Romford had a chance to equalise two minutes later when debutant Matthew Mitchell set up Chinedu McKenzie but the Boro forward could only steer his effort straight at the keeper, but they were back on level terms moments later when Jamie Dicks held off a challenge down the left wing before passing to Paul Preston who sent in a cross that was headed home via the far post by McKenzie.
Preston sent a shot just over after cutting in from the wing and then a minute later made another surging run down the left flank followed by a powerful cross that was headed home just as powerfully by Captain Jamie Dicks in the twenty-second minute. Dicks almost grabbed his second of the game when his free kick eluded everyone and skidded just past the far post while Will Green's slide rule pass sent McKenzie through, but the keeper was quick off his line and and blocked the shot.
McKenzie was causing the defenders all sorts of problems and it was his good hold up play and touch that allowed Jonathan Adebayo to powerfully strike towards goal but the keeper made a good save while at the other end Richard Wray had to be alert to tip the ball over after a good run and shot by the Hullbridge winger.
On the stroke of half time McKenzie was wrestled to the floor just inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Mitchell stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give the Boro a two goal advantage.

Three minutes into the second half Romford grabbed their fourth goal and it was a fantastic solo effort. McKenzie picked the ball up mid way into the half from a Preston throw and ran towards goal past three men before beating the keeper at his near post with a left foot drive. In the fifty-fifth minute substitute Chris Taylor who replaced Mitchell at half time nearly grabbed a fifth but after getting on the end of Ryan Boswell's low cross he could only direct his effort into the side netting.
Romford were now playing some good football and well on top with Green's downward header well saved and Preston sending an effort just wide after a good run. From a slightly under hit back pass Taylor was quick to seize the opportunity to tackle the keeper and passed to McKenzie, but he decided to shoot from a tight angle rather than pass to Adebayo unmarked in the box. With fifteen minutes left the hosts took their foot of the gas and allowed Hullbridge back into the contest when they failed to clear a corner and Harry Skinner shot past Wray to reduce the deficit. Three minutes to go and it was well and truly game on as Hornsley got free inside the box and slid the ball into the net but Romford tightened up at the back and held out, with things made slightly easier due to Hullbridge's Hodgson sent off after a second yellow card in the final minute.
Romford can now put the valuable prize money into the kitty and will be away to Ryman Premier club Harlow Town on their artificial pitch in two weeks time, when it will be their turn to try to to cause an upset.

ROMFORD (3) 4 CHINEDU MCKENZIE 9, 48, JAMIE DICKS 23, MATTHEW MITCHELL 45+1 (PEN)

HULLBRIDGE SPORTS (1) 3 HODGSON 3, SKINNER 75, HORNSLEY 87

ROMFORD: RICHARD WRAY, RYAN BOSWELL, PAUL PRESTON, TOM POTTER, MATT TOMS, JONATHAN ADEBAYO (GEORGE TUBEY 77), ASHLEY BANKOLE, JAMIE DICKS, CHINEDU MCKENZIE, MATTHEW MITCHELL (CHRIS TAYLOR 46), WILL GREEN, SUBS NOT USED: HAYES THOMAS, MICHAEL OGBOIN, NICK REYNOLDS, STEPHEN REYNOLDS

YELLOW CARDS: TOM POTTER 26, PAUL PRESTON 27