Romford (1) 1, Halstead Town (1) 2 - Saturday 23rd November 2024 - Essex Senior League

The rain and strong winds that Storm Bert wrought upon the country meant that this was never going to be a pretty game of football, and at the end of 90 minutes in which the visitors mastered the conditions the better, the result was a third consecutive home defeat for Boro.

Romford made an ideal start; Harry Elsey headed home Joe Paxman's free-kick after only seven minutes, but despite having the lion's share of first half possession, Boro could not build on that advantage and Halstead turned round on level terms when a low shot by former Boro player Alfie Cleal found the bottom corner of Dervishaj's net in the second minute of first half stoppage time.

Between the goals there were chances for Boro with Praise Ogbebor cutting in from the right and shooting over after 22 minutes, while David Oweridu - starting in place of the suspended Kennedy Feyi - shot over the bar on the half hour.

Halstead keeper Jack Cherry beat out a shot from Toheeb Elegushi after 36 minutes, but his opposite number Dervishaj was twice called into action in the closing stages of the half, turning a shot round a post in the 38th minute, and coming off his line to thwart Dean Ager after 44 minutes.

Halstead keeper Cherry required lengthy treatment immediately after the restart, but he recovered to make a vital intervention after 56 minutes when he denied Ogbebor after the Boro forward had run onto Lucas Polyblank's slide-rule pass.

That was the last significant chance that Boro created, but the visitors created little either, despite their wind assisted advantage. Halstead won the game with a 71st minute penalty however, as Ager converted the spot kick after one of his teammates had taken a tumble in the Boro penalty area.

This was not a game that will be linger long in the memory banks, and came with a result that Romford must put behind them by the time that Ilford come calling on Tuesday evening, which at least provides Boro an immediate opportunity to get back on track.

Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Harry Elsey,Joe Paxman,Lucas Polyblank, Andy Morris (Derek Feyi 90+3'), Eli Benoit (Kelvin Boampong 77'), Toheeb Elegushi,
Hafeez Elegushi (Brendan Ocran 65'),
Praise Ogbebor, Jaiden Babalola,
David Owiredu (Arnold Mengi 69')