Romford (2) 2, Ilford (0) 1 – Friday 14th August 2026 – FA Vase First Qualifying Round

As against Barton Rovers, Jaxon Brown and Jonathan Evans were on target as Romford won an FA Vase tie for the first time since May 2024, but Boro had to dig deep in the second half to protect their lead, which was halved by Greg Akpele’s goal from the penalty spot with nearly 20 minutes remaining.

Brown scored with a far post header and Evans – who has been highly influential in his short spell with the club - curled in a superb free-kick just before the break to put Romford firmly in the driving seat, but while Boro had largely been on the front foot in the opening 45 minutes, Ilford had more possession after the interval.

The visitors had an effort on goal in the very first minute, but Aseel Albrek’s shot was comfortably gathered by Conor Beattie. They created another shooting opportunity after winning a free-kick on the edge of the Boro penalty area after eight minutes, although it appeared that Boro defender Julius Nwike who was fouled rather than the offender. Fortunately, when the free-kick was played across the penalty area, the ensuing shot went harmlessly wide, as did a shot from Ilford’s Joel Appiah moments later.

Appiah – who has frequently been a thorn in Romford’s side in the past, both for Ilford and Athletic Newham – withdrew from the action with an injury and was replaced by evergreen Boro old boy Greg Akpele, and Ilford also had to replace Michael Okafor through injury in the first half.

Boro’s first effort on goal came after 13 minutes when Fabio Vieira shot into the side netting and with 19 minutes played, Ilford keeper Isaac Libotte had to save low to hist right from Jaxon Brown’s shot. Brown was not to be denied after 24 minutes however, as he rose at the far post and headed home Aron Gordon’s cross from the left.

Romford had another chance almost immediately, but Alfie Osbourne’s shot went wide and after 31 minutes Greig Stewart had a shot saved by Libotte after Vieira and Brown had combined to create the opportunity, but Boro netted a second on the stroke of half-time. Boro were awarded a free-kick some 20 yards out and Jonathan Evans curled a brilliant shot over the wall and into the net with Libotte clutching thin air.

Ilford went close in the first minute of the second period when Shaike Kamara’s low cross from the right missed everyone and went behind and just 60 seconds later Olusesan Ayodele created an opportunity that Romford defended well.

After another low Ilford shot had passed harmlessly wide, Boro had to clear a loose ball that stemmed from what appeared to be a foul on keeper Beattie as he was unable to claim a high ball while under pressure and the after 65 minutes another Ilford chance, created this time by Kamara, was bundled wide of goal.

Ilford halved Boro’s advantage with a penalty after 71 minutes, Akpele converting the spot kick awarded when a shot struck a Boro player’s hand.

Aron Gordon went close for Boro after 78 minutes when he intercepted Libotte’s poor clearance, but his shot from outside the box drifted wide while at the other end Ilford’s Ayodele put a good opportunity wide of the post.

Boro might have wrapped the game up in the third minute of stoppage time when substitute Matt Price put another sub, Ben McCrow, through but Libotte diverted the ball behind for a corner.

Although it’s true that Romford had plenty of defending to do in the second half, it’s equally true that the back four looked more than comfortable as Boro progressed to the Second Qualifying Round and an away tie against either Burnham Ramblers or AFC Welwyn.

Romford: Conor Beattie, Teddy Desmond, Freddie Tandon, Julius Nwike, Ben Sargent, Greig Stewart, Alfie Osbourne (Prince Sikiru 61'), Aron Gordon (Ben McCrow 82'), Jonathan Evans (Ekow Owusu-Boakye 80'), Fabio Vieira (Matthew Price 65'), Jaxon Brown. Unused sub: Alfie Leach