AFC Sudbury 4, Romford 3 - BetVictor Isthmian League North - Saturday 31st August 2019
Goals are rarely in short supply when Romford visit Sudbury, and this game was no exception. Unfortunately on this occasion it was the home side that scored the majority - just- with their last gasp winner depriving Boro of the point that they deserved. Romford welcomed back skipper Danny Cossington after he had missed the opening four fixtures, and his influence was clear to see in what was a good Boro performance, albeit one that ultimately earned no points.
The home side had an early chance when their much travelled and prolific striker Sean Marks had an effort blocked at close range, but Romford were quickly up the other end but Adeniyi Gbolahan's dangerous cross was too far ahead of his team-mates. Liam Bennett fired over for Sudbury and Jimmy Cox shot wide for Boro before the home side took the lead after eight minutes when a through ball found Ben Hunter in space and he slipped the ball past Harry Aldridge.
Nathan Joseph, who scored his only Boro goal to date on this ground in the corresponding fixture last season, poked the ball narrowly wide after being set up by Philip Brown-Bampoe, but the same player then set up Jonathon Nzengo to stab home an equaliser at the second attempt after 23 minutes. A minute later, Boro were in front, and again Brown-Bampoe was the provider, dispossessing a Sudbury defender and providing Jimmy Cox with the chance to bag his second goal of the season. Cox then robbed Sudbury defender Grimwood, but his shot lacked power and Walker saved comfortably. Boro's lead was wiped out on thirty-six minutes when Harry Aldridge's throw was intercepted by the impressive Liam Bennett, and he fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Philip Brown-Bampoe might have restored Boro's advantage immediately, however his shot was just too high.
After the break Romford continued to press for goals and were rewarded with the second period just eight minutes old. Jonathon Nzengo's superb control and run ended with him netting his second of the game. Both sides continued to create chances; Bennett ought to have done better for the hosts when he shot wide after Boro were caught napping at a free-kick, and Reece Tranter - on for Gbolahan - flicked narrowly wide.
As the game entered its final stages, Sudbury began exerting greater pressure, and on seventy-minutes Harry Aldridge made an important block after a good move, but three minutes later Sudbury were level when Billy Holland was left unattended in the box and he tapped home from a low cross.
At this stage Romford still looked well worth a point, and might have gone back in front when Jaydon Charles did well to fashion a shooting opportunity, but could not keep his effort low enough. Cruelly, with the final whistle beckoning, Sudbury snatched a late winner when Nathan Joseph's header back to Harry Aldridge fell short and Sudbury substitute Tom Maycock lifted the ball over the Boro keeper.
Romford: Harry Aldridge, Nathan Joseph, Giovanni Palmer, Derek Ohalem, Danny Nesbitt, Danny Cossington (Billy Stewart, 68m), Malaki Toussaint, Philip Brown-Bampoe, Jimmy Cox (Jaydon Charles, 81m), Adeniyi Gbolahan (Reece Tranter, 61m), Jonathon Nzengo. Subs not used: Dilan Thandi, Jack Riddell.