Romford (1) 4, Stanway Rovers (1) 1 – Essex Senior League – Saturday 27th July 2024

A sensational second half display earned Boro a well deserved win over a Stanway Rovers side tipped by many to be challenging for honours this season.

Boro made a less than ideal start, however. Qamil Dervishaj had already been called into action, beating away a free-kick from the right after seven minutes before Stanway went ahead just a couple of minutes later. Usman Adeniji Temitope launched one of a series of long throws into the Romford penalty area and the ball fell kindly for Harry Thomas to turn and fire home with the aid of a deflection.

Sheri Artmeladze was crowded out as he burst into the Stanway penalty area shortly afterwards, but a Romford equaliser was not long in coming as after 15 minutes, a determined run by David Owiredu enabled him to find Chris Millar, who buried a low shot into the corner. Owiredu then set up an opportunity for Artmeladze that was cleared, while at the other end, Andy Morris needed to be alert to head away for a corner from which Nabil Musah had to head off the line.

Stanway then missed a glorious chance to go ahead again after 23 minutes when Henry Barley shot over from a cross when unmarked, and the same player then had a shot on the turn that went just wide as the visitors asserted themselves. Toheeb Elegushi shot over the bar for Boro and the Owiredu – Artmeladze combination again created a chance for the latter to shoot wide after 34 minutes.

Stanway’s Christian Frimpong was booked for a foul and Boro’s Derek Feyi joined him in the referee’s notebook for a similar offence as the half wound down, and the last action of note was a save by Dervishaj from a curled free-kick by Barley.

After the break, Romford found another gear and with the front line showing pace and good movement, dominated proceedings, netting three well deserved goals to earn all the points. Sam Elwood cut in from the right and fired a left foot shot wide immediately after the restart and after 55 minutes, Chris Millar set up on a mazy run from the half-way line that ended with him shooting across goal, but a rare chance for Stanway required Dervishaj to make a block low at his near post.

Praise Ogbebor had a shot saved by Stanway keeper Callum Robinson having being set up by Sheri Artmeladze after 62 minutes, but sixty seconds later Boro were in front when patient passing on the right set up David Owiredu who rolled a low shot past Robinson. The lead was increased after 72 minutes when a superb ball inside a defender put Artmeladze through on goal, and he was brought down in the penalty area by Adeniji Temitope, who was booked.

Artmeladze took the spot kick himself, but Robinson dived to his left to save only for Boro substitute Elliott Howson to follow up and slam the ball into the net.

Stanway’s George Okoye shot over the Boro bar after 77 minutes and then after 82 minutes, Boro substitute Isaac Sijuade shot narrowly wide, as did Artmeladze in the 89th minute, however, Boro were not to be denied a fourth and in the second minute of stoppage time, Artmeladze burst through again and although Robinson made a partial block, he could not prevent the ball running into the net.

It doesn’t do to get carried away after just one game, but this Boro performance – especially in the second half – was a joy to behold and a cause for optimism after a close season of upheaval.

Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Sam Elwood, Nabil Musah (Daniel Nakipov-Getmansky, 60m), Jake Giddings (Leandro Alva, 61m), Derek Feyi, Andy Morris, Toheeb Elegushi (Elliott Howson, 61m), Chris Millar (Kalum Bama, 80m), David Owiredu (Isaac Sijuade 76m), Sheri Artmeladze, Praise Ogbebor.

Report by Mike Woods