Little Oakley (2) 2, Romford (0) 1 – Saturday 18th July 2026 – Pre-Season Friendly

As the end of a first half in which Little Oakley had been marginally the better side but without unduly threatening the Romford goal approached, and with the game still goal-less, the home side scored twice in the last three minutes. Both goals came from set pieces – a corner from the right and a throw from the left – and while it looked as though Boro defenders got the final touches, the goals were ultimately claimed by Little Oakley’s Joe Howard and Jack Ladbrook.

Romford had their chances in the first half. After seven minutes Ben McCrow got behind the home defence and onto the end of a quick throw, but his chip over the keeper drifted wide. Rhian Fowler headed a 19th minute corner wide while a shot from McCrow was pushed away by the Little Oakley goalkeeper.

The second half was played largely in the Little Oakley half and Romford did at least enough to deserve a draw. After 54 minutes Aron Gordon cut in from the left and shot across the face of goal and after a number of changes to the Boro side, the pressure on the home defence was ramped up.

Flynn Hamilton had a shot that wasn’t far off the mark after 70 minutes and a shot by one of Boro’s trialists was only gathered by the home keeper on his second attempt. Romford finally got off the mark for the season with a quality goal after 83 minutes. Fabio Viera cut in from the left and placed a fierce shot perfectly into the far corner. Another of Boro’s trialists went close with a shot and as time ran out and with Little Oakley looking increasingly rattled, Elton Gjonbala was put through but his on target effort was kicked away by the home keeper.

The second half performance – against a Little Oakley side that included ex-Boro forward Jake Gordon in their squad - was undoubtedly Boro’s best 45 of the pre-season programme so far.

Romford Starting XI: Lamar Johnson, Greig Stewart, Teddy Desmond, Alfie Osbourne, Rian Fowler, Callum Bolger, Aron Gordon, Prince Sikiru, Trialist, Ben McCrow, Matt Price. Substitutes: Trialist (GK), Harry Elsey, Ekow Owusu-Boakye, Flynn Hamilton, Fabio Viera, Trialist, Elton Gjonbala.

Report: Mike Woods