A hat-trick from Charlie Morris on his Romford debut – the first time anyone has done that since Harry Bennett scored three in a 3-3 draw against Burton Albion in the Southern League in August 1959 – helped Boro to a win over fellow Essex Senior League side Saffron Walden Town.

Romford made the perfect start as just four minutes had been played when Jesse Olukolu was set free on the right, and his cut-back was drilled home by Emmanuel Robe. Olukolu was involved again after 10 minutes, finding Alex Balisani, whose shot hit a post, and again after 14 minutes when he found the net only to be ruled offside.

Morris bagged the first of his triple after 18 minutes when he was found by Kris Newby, who had won the ball in midfield; his low shot gave James Young in the Saffron Walden goal no chance. Olukolu hit the same post again after 21 minutes, but Boro had to wait only three minutes more before making it 3-0, with Newby again finding Olukolu in space, and his low cross easily converted by Morris.

Robe was denied a second goal by Young’s good save, and then Balisani shot over before The Bloods had their first clear cut chance on the half hour, Billy Lawlor pulling off a fine save before Solomon Ofori shot wide from the loose ball.

Balisani was just off-target with a curling free-kick and was denied a goal when clean through as Young made a good low save.

Lawlor made an excellent low block in the 44th minute, but with just seconds of the half remaining Boro made it four when Morris intercepted in midfield and fed Balisani, who scored with ease.

After an exceptional first half it was perhaps inevitable that the second forty-five was – by comparison – somewhat tepid. Daniel Taylor became the first of three Boro players booked after 49 minutes when a mix up at the back forced him to drag back a Saffron Walden forward. Gavin Cockman’s free kick for the visitors was comfortably saved by Lawlor, and Cockman went close after 51 minutes when he headed a cross from the left narrowly wide of the Boro goal.

Jesse Olukolu was put clear on the right, but having cut in shot wide after 58 minutes, but after 67 minutes Saffron Walden got one back when a good move on the right presented Ofori with a simple tap in. Meanwhile Saffron Walden’s Ryan Dear was booked for a foul within sixty seconds of coming on as a sub after 56 minutes, having replaced Palvy Manduakila, who had himself been booked in the first half.
Kris Newby was booked for what looked like a perfectly legitimate tackle after 69 minutes, Balisani had a shot pushed onto a post by Young a minute later, and after 71 minutes Cockman pulled another back for Saffron Walden with another close range effort.

Sub Jacob Wiggins became the third Boro player in referee Woolford’s book five minutes from the end, and in stoppage time Morris went close to a fifth goal for Boro when clean through but denied by Young.

But Morris was not to be denied for long however.In the fourth minute of added time another sub, Martin Touhy, did well to reach a long ball out to the right, and his low cross was converted from six yards by Morris.

Reward for this win is another home tie, against Takeley in the Preliminary Round in two weeks’ time.

Romford: Billy Lawlor, Daniel Taylor, Danny Hurford, Kris Newby, Tambeson Eyong, Scott Doe, Jesse Olukolu (Jake Gordon 68m), George Cox, Emmanuel Robe (Martin Tuohy 68m), Alex Balisani (Jacob Wiggins 77m), Charlie Morris. Unused subs: Josh Wiggins, Jack Stevenson, Tyrese Sibanda

Picture: Alex Balisani scores Boro’s fourth (Alan Blackholly)