Sawbridgeworth Town 1, Romford 1

On a blisteringly hot afternoon at Sawbridgeworth, it was a case of close shaves and good saves that restricted Boro to just one goal. It was almost inevitable that having had opportunities to score four or five, Romford would concede an equaliser with fifteen minutes left.

Romford were ahead after just two minutes. A cross-field ball from Steve Carvell found Jesse Olukolu wide on the right, and not for the last time during the afternoon, he cruised past his marker and delivered a cross. L’Heureux Menga converted from close range with his chest.

Sawbridgeworth’s first chance of the afternoon saw them capitalise on some hesitant Boro defending, but their effort hit the top of the bar.

Christian Adu Gyamfi hit a post and Jesse Olukolu had a good shot pushed away for a corner as Boro dominated early proceedings, but it really should have been two after thirty-two minutes as Menga and Adu Gyamfi contrived to miss from close range after yet another good run and cross from Olukolu. Olukolu rounded off the half by creating a good chance for himself, but his shot was narrowly off target.

The second half was not dissimilar to the first. Once more it was Olukolu creating a chance for himself, and his fierce shot was well saved by the home goalkeeper by his near post.

Romford had the ball in the net for a second time after fifty-seven minutes, but Menga’s close range strike was ruled out for offside.

Sawbridgeworth served notice that they were not out of the game when they forced a good save from Boro’s keeper just after the hour mark when a home forward burst through, and after seventy-five minutes they snatched an equaliser from a similar move.

Picture shows Steve Carvell about to deliver a cross.