Takeley (0) 0, Romford (0) 0 – Essex Senior League – Saturday 31st August 2024

A vital late save by keeper Harry Girling preserved a deserved point at Takeley, and briefly Boro were second in the table. An injury time winner for Great Wakering Rovers over Ilford meant that Boro remain third instead.

Girling’s save came in the third minute of second half stoppage time when Takeley substitute Lanre Balogan benefited from a fortuitous run of the ball and found himself clear on goal, but the Boro keeper spread himself well to deflect Balogan’s shot to safety. A goal then would have consigned Boro to a defeat that would have been harsh; a draw was a fair result in an entertaining game that had chances at both ends.

Both sides were committed to attack in the early stages with Takeley particularly keen to try and grab an early advantage. The Boro defence had to work hard to keep the home forwards at bay and midfielder Lucas Polyblank deserves credit for the defensive duties he took upon himself, tidying up and making some effective clearances.

The home side looked to have taken the lead after only five minutes when a long ball found Jamel Obeng, who got to the ball before Girling, but his shot, which initially seemed destined to find the net, curved away and struck a post before Boro gratefully cleared, but the ball was returned to Takeley’s Jordan Wescott whose shot was turned round the post by Girling.

Boro’s first chance fell to Praise Ogbebor whose low shot was easily gathered by Jarvis Monk in the Takeley goal after eight minutes and Boro next went close after 20 minutes when Toheeb Elegushi fired a cracking shot across goal and narrowly wide.

Takeley’s Obeng saw his header cleared from close to the goal-line by Derek Feyi but Boro struck back with Monk having to save well from Elegushi. The half closed with Aundre Spencer picking out Elegushi, whose pass gave Kennedy Feyi the opportunity to run at goal and strike a shot that went wide of Monk’s right hand post.

A strong run by Toheeb Elegushi was ended by Monk who came off his line as the Boro skipper burst into the home penalty area after 64 minutes, but shortly afterwards Takeley’s Lanre Balogan, who had replaced Jamel Obeng, used his considerable weight to hold off two Boro defenders and get his shot away, which was turned round the post by Girling.

A somewhat over zealous challenge on Arnold Mengi by Takeley’s Freddie Taylor Coghill was punished with a yellow card, while Boro’s Andy Morris was later cautioned for a foul. The sound of the challenge probably made it sound worse than it was with the Takeley player quickly to his feet.

Kennedy Feyi struck a shot across goal as Boro broke quickly and when Reece McGovern headed on a clearance his fellow substitute Iziah Antoine found himself with a shooting opportunity but the well positioned Monk – as impressive today as he has been in performances against Boro for both Enfield and Saffron Walden Town - saved.

Both sides were striving for a winner as the final whistle blew, and as some goal-less draws are worth remembering more than others, this was definitely one to file under “memorable”.

Romford: Harry Girling, Nathan Fuma (Brendan Orcan, 59m), Andy Morris, Derek Feyi, Aundre Spencer, Lucas Polyblank, Arnold Mengi, Leandro Alva (Reece McGovern, 66m), Toheeb Elegushi, Praise Ogbebor (Izaih Antoine, 79m), Kennedy Feyi. Unused subs: Kalum Bama, David Owiredu.

Match report by Mike Woods