Romford (1) 2, Sawbridgeworth Town (0) 1 – Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy – Tuesday 29th October 2024

What appeared at one stage to be comfortable progress in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy became something of a slog as Sawbridgeworth pushed misfiring Boro all the way.

Romford created ample chances but a combination of near misses and smart goalkeeping from Sawbridgeworth’s Samuel Owuso kept the game competitive and when the visitors reduced the arrears with a minute of normal time remaining and plenty of stoppage time in the offing, a penalty shoot-out seemed a real possibility. Fortunately, added time passed without any further scoring, although it did feature what appeared to be a bizarre booking for Boro keeper Qamil Dervishaj.

Despite their lowly league position Sawbridgeworth made a good fist of this game, although goalkeeper Samuel Owusu had to make a number of good saves to keep Boro at bay. It was particularly unfortunate for him that it was his error that gifted Boro the opening goal of the game when his 21st minute goal-kick went straight to Kennedy Feyi who returned the ball past him for his fifth Boro goal.

Prior to that Boro had gone close when Kennedy Feyi was put through in just the second minute, but having rounded Owusu, could not convert. Jake Gordon shot narrowly wide after 16 minutes and after 19 minutes Kennedy Feyi forced a good save from Owusu after Praise Ogbebor had created the opening, and as the play developed, Feyi put the ball over the bar.

The visitors were not without their chances, however. Jehovany Kinzonzi, who was a constant threat, diverted a free-kick straight at Boro keeper Dervishaj after 13 minutes and after 26 minutes the same player forced a save from Dervishaj with a curling shot.

Jake Gordon shot wide after shrugging off a couple of challenges after 31 minutes but almost immediately, Sawbridgeworth’s Daniel Sayer forced a save from Dervishaj with a decent header and seconds later Dervishaj was down to make a low save.

Boro ended the half strongly with Gordon’s deflected shot from Joe Paxman’s pass proving an easy save for Owusu, who then denied Paxman when the Boro midfielder tried to chip him after running on to Ogbebor’s pass.

Romford were once again on the front foot in the early minutes of the second half. Owusu denied Gordon in the first minute of the second period and then Kennedy Feyi created a chance for Hafeez Elegushi who was foiled by the keeper, but Boro doubled their lead after 50 minutes. Joe Paxman played the ball wide to Lucas Polyblank on the right and his low cross found its way to Amaree Robinson-Jones who found the net for the first time in 2024-25.

Qamil Dervishaj earned his corn when he came out to of his area to block a promising attack after 64 minutes and he then saved again in the follow up, but Boro again went close to a third when Toheeb Elegushi’s low cross was sent over the bar by Gordon who then fired over on the turn from Sam Elwood’s pass.

Derek Feyi was harshly booked for a meek challenge in midfield after 86 minutes and when Boro lost possession after 89 minutes, Kinzonzi was put through to reduce the arrears and make the remaining minutes somewhat more tense than might have been expected earlier. That said, Romford ought to have put the game to bed a minute later when Chris Millar’s pass gave Toheeb Elegushi a shooting opportunity but his shot was off target.

There were two stoppage time cautions for Boro: Jaiden Babalola went into referee Ricardo Reynold’s book for pulling back a Sawbridgeworth defender, and then Qamil Dervishaj was booked – presumably for time wasting – seemingly in open play neither before nor after a stoppage and while with the ball at his feet – curious!

Romford; Qamil Dervishaj, Sam Elwood, Andy Morris, Arnold Mengi (Hafeez Elegushi 46'), Kojo Feyi, Lucas Polyblank, Amaree Robinson-Jones, Jake Gordon, Kennedy Feyi (Chris Millar 62'), Joe Paxman (Toheeb Elegushi 62'), Praise Ogbebor (Jaiden Babalola 62') Unused sub: Eli Benoit