Romford faced a tough away fixture this weekend as they went up against Toby FC and their 100% record, determined to bounce back after a deflating last minute loss last week.

The early exchanges were tense, with this being undoubtedly the most physical encounter of the season to date for the Boro Belles.

Boro took a while to come to terms with the direct approach of the home side, as they looked to constantly get their rapid front pair in behind the visiting back line. This soon paid dividends as Boro carelessly gave away possession in midfield and were punished by a superb strike from the edge of the box.

As the half went on, Boro began to establish a foothold in proceedings but were indebted to keeper Jamie Williams as she pulled off a wonderful double save to keep things at 1-0.

As the Belles grew into the game, Georgia Maxwell-Jones was giving the fullback a torrid time, and stung the keepers hands on more than one occasion with long range efforts. Claire Huggins looked like adding to her early season tally, after an impressive run through the heart of the Toby defence, but her stabbed effort was inches wide of the left hand post.

Soon, Sam Kuski fired high and wide from a great position on the each of the box, and Huggins lifted a shot over the bar after a wonderful passing move found her running clear and it began to seem like it wasn’t Romford’s day.

Disaster then struck early in the second half, when the superb Katrina Smith went to ground with a sliding tackle. As she went down, her right foot got caught in the turf and from the surrounding players reactions it was looked like a severe injury.

Smith was rushed to hospital, and unfortunately Boro fears were later justified when scans showed she not only suffered a break, but also torn ankle ligaments and will require surgery.

After a twenty minute delay, Boro appeared galvanised by the injury to their teammate, and in fact almost equalised within moments of the re-start after Dominika Pavlovska was released down the right and her instant cut back found Maxwell-Jones who seemed certain to score before being denied by a last ditch block.

With time slipping away, the Boro Belles needed something heroic and their captain delivered. From a Maxwell-Jones corner, skipper Alice Sharpe threw herself into a challenge for the loose ball, and in the process slid the ball home to spark some visiting pink pandemonium.

With momentum shifting, Boro perhaps should have snatched all three points, as Maxwell-Jones went close yet again, but Boro were once more thankful for the fine form of keeper Williams as she again saved superbly from a late Toby breakaway.

So ended an excellent and fiercely competitive game with the points shared by two sides that expect to be in the mix at the end of the season.

Reflecting on an eventful day, manager Jason Murray said “Our thoughts are with Katrina, and we hope she makes a speedy recovery. I would also like to mention the referee Yaz Satter, who handled the entire game and the unfortunate situation incredibly well. We are very quick to mention refereeing when we think they have a bad game, so credit where it’s due. I was also delighted with the character my players displayed today as they dug deep and simply refused to leave empty handed. The fact we are disappointed with a point today speaks volumes about the team”.

The first team return with a home fixture against Leigh Ramblers next Sunday at Noak Hill.

Goal: Sharpe

Squad: Jamie Williams, Shannon Jewell Simpson, Sian Lakes, Alice Sharpe, Katrina Smith , Paulina Savicute, Kierra Gabriel, Sharmari Crawford, Claire Huggins, Sam Kuski, Georgia Maxwell-Jones: Chloe Eastwell, Crystene Fenton, Raquel Mezquita, Dominika Pavlovska, Libby Teeling

Player of the Match: Simpson

Under 16 Girls

Our under 16’s were not in action this week but will travel to visit a highly rated Aveley team for a 10am kick off at their stadium next week.

Under 13 Girls

Barking 5 - 1 Romford

With no under 16 game this week, our attention turns to our U13’s, who played a very strong Barking team.

The home side took the lead inside a few minutes, however Romford did not fold and fought back with and excellent goal from Lunan, created by Fox.

Romford continued to work hard and showed great spirit, but had to play a different style of game to their normal high intensity and things were evenly balanced in a scrappy game until two pivotal moments, minutes before half time.

A misplaced pass straight to the Barking forward was dispatched and then after a controversial decision not to award a foul from a midfield clash, the ball was smashed high over the Boro keepers head from distance, leaving the visitors with a 3-1 deficit at half time.

The second half began in an even scrappier fashion with both teams fighting hard, and Romford deciding it was time to match the Barking physicality, resulting in two Romford yellow cards and three for Barking.

Romford kept their belief and had two very good one v one opportunities but couldn't take either. They were left rueing their profligacy as a Fox effort rattled the bar and they threw everything at Barking. Meanwhile, at the other end, Cupidon in goal made two good saves to keep Romford in it.

However, the wind was finally knocked out of the Romford sails when a long defensive clearance went high over the retreating goalkeeper Cupidon and left her with no chance.

At this point key players were removed fully from the game to target the next fixture and Barking cruised the last 10 minutes before adding a well taken fifth.

Manager Darren Dennis said "Unfortunately the game turned very messy early on after late tackles went unpunished. It’s a shame because both teams have good players on the pitch and it wasn't a good reflection of either teams ability".

"The scoreline feels quite harsh. We have had a difficult week with illness and injury. So I cannot fault the teams effort and commitment to the game, but we came up 2nd best."

"Overall I was very pleased with the attitude shown from the girls, they stood up to the physicality that Barking present, and they never gave up. We need to get all players fit now and focus on the upcoming games"

The Boro girls return next week with a trip to FC Redwing.

Goal: Lunan

Squad: M Cupidon, Newman, Nolan, Osben, Ty Samuel, Thomas, Cave, Ta Samuel (c), Kinnard, Fox, Lunan, Willis, Dennis, Turner

Round up provided by Jim Kearns