Barkingside (0) 0, Romford (1) 3 – BBC Essex Senior Cup – Monday 30th September 2024

It was always going to be the case that Boro boss Kris Newby would make changes from the side that had faced West Essex on Saturday for this Essex Senior Cup tie against Barkingside, but illness forced him to name a side that included only one of Saturday’s starters. The players he brought in did not let him down.

On a wet and windy night at Cricklefields, a game against Step 6 opposition presented a potential banana skin for Boro, but the much changed XI performed admirably and won at a canter, so much so that Qamil Devishaj, starting between the sticks in place of Harry Girling, did not have a save to make, even in the second half when Boro had the wind against them and Barkingside were seeking an equaliser.

Leandro Alva and Izaih Antoine both scored their first Romford goals and Jake Gordon also netted in his first start since returning to the Boro fold.

With the wind behind them, it was all Romford in the early stages and after six minutes Jake Gordon went close with a shot that went just wide of the post. Boro’s domination did not translate into clear cut chances and they might have paid for that when a pass by Kris Newby, playing in an unfamiliar centre back role alongside Andy Morris, went astray but Devishaj was quickly off his line to mop up.

Newby almost netted what would have been the longest range goal seen for some time when he struck a free-kick from deep in his own half that was not too far away after 17 minutes and a minute later Gordon shot over the bar after Nabil Musah had created the shooting opportunity.

Boro deservedly took the lead after 27 minutes when Leandro Alva let fly from well outside the box and despite getting both hands to the shot, Barkingside goalkeeper Oliver Johnson was unable to stop its progress into the net.

The home side had little answer to Boro’s attacks which ought to have borne more fruit. Toheeb Elegushi created an opportunity for Jake Gordon, whose shot was saved by Johnson, Elegushi himself shot wide when well placed, and Nabil Musah tested Johnson with a low shot that the keeper fumbled and was relieved to see come back off a post. Finally, in the first added minute at the end of the half, Toheeb Elegushi, having cut inside from the left, saw his shot cannon off the bar.

With only a slender lead at the interval and the elements against them, Boro might have expected the second half to require a backs against the wall performance, but nothing could be further from the truth as Newby’s much changed side continued to dominate.

After 56 minutes a free-kick from the left by Newby was met by Andy Morris, who could only direct his effort wide, and from the goal kick, Barkingside created a rare opportunity, but the shot was well off target.

Another well delivered free-kick by Kris Newby, from the left flank this time, was met by a header from Jake Gordon, but when Johnson could do no more than parry, Izaih Antoine fired home, although with the ball passing through the net, there was some initial delay before it registered that the goal had actually been scored.

Jake Gordon shot wide after being picked out by David Oweridu’s excellent crossfield pass after 67 minutes, but the former Great Wakering player was not to be denied a goal and after 75 minutes he met a cross from Lewis Gardener to sweep home Boro’s third.

Victory for Boro sets up a Second Round tie away to either Little Oakley or Athletic Newham.

Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Lewis Gardener, Nabil Musah, Hafeez Elegushi, Andy Morris, Kris Newby, David Owiredu, Ross Elsom (Kalum Bama 46m), Jake Gordon, Leandro Alva, Toheeb Elegushi (Izaih Antoine 46m) Unused sub: Charlie Priest