Buckhurst Hill (1) 3, Romford (0) 0 – Essex senior League – Saturday 21st December 2024

An all too common feature of Romford performances this season has been an inability to turn pressure and possession into goals, and so it proved again on a wet and windy afternoon in Buckhurst Hill as the home side’s more pragmatic style reaped rewards.

Two minutes of the first half remained when Buckhurst Hill forward George Thompson broke clear on the left and having gone round Boro keeper Qamil Dervishaj, was fouled by Eli Benoit. Penalty and a yellow card for Benoit.

Some confusion ensued as Suley Zudhu converted the spot kick but was sin-binned for his protests as it transpired that the referee's whistle signified the offence of encroachment rather than a signal to take the spot kick, a moot and contentious decision. George Thompson converted the retake. The home side's goal would have been academic had Boro made more of their first half dominance, however.

In the 13th minute, Sheri Artmeladze's shot was pushed away by Muhammed Otuyo in the home goal after the Boro forward had won possession on the left, and after Amaree Robinson-Jones had played in a decent cross that no Boro player could capitalise on, Artmeladze had a shot deflected wide and Kennedy Feyi's shot on the turn also went just wide.

Artmeladze really ought to have done better than to fire off target after Kennedy Feyi had created a shooting opportunity for him on the half hour, but Buckhurst Hill demonstrated the danger their direct style threatened when Benoit and Babalola combined to snuff out a chance, and then Dervishaj had to tip a shot from Tyreece Robertson away for a corner.

A sight of goal for the hosts from a free-kick resulted in a shot from Zudhu sailing over the bar, but just as it seemed that Boro would at least turn round on level terms, Thompson’s penalty put the home side in front.

Five minutes into the second half, Buckhurst Hill doubled their lead when a quick break on the left resulted on a ball across to the unmarked Tyreece Robertson who had time aplenty to control and shoot past Dervishaj.

The home side's Liam Foster was forced to concede a corner with a desperate clearance, but Boro squandered the flag kick and soon after, Praise Ogbebor's cross eluded everyone before Otuyo grabbed the loose ball.

Amaree Robinson-Jones went agonisingly close with a right foot shot that was inches wide of the right hand post as he cut in from the left after 78 minutes and Otuyo flapped at Brendan Ocran's corner after 86 minutes, while Ash Siddik placed a free-kick just wide after 88 minutes.

Sheri Artmeladze was sent off in the penultimate minute of normal time for remarks to the assistant referee, and the home side capped a miserable afternoon for Boro in the fourth minute of added time when another quick break gave Jaime Nvumba the chance to chip over the advancing Dervishaj.

Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Nathan Fuma (Hafeez Elegushi, 55m), Praise Ogbebor, Jaiden Babalola (Brendan Ocran, 73m), Eli Benoit, Derek Feyi, Amaree Robinson-Jones, Arnold Mengi (Ash Siddik, 55m), Kennedy Feyi, Blaise Uwandji (David Oweridu, 73m), Sheri Artmeladze

Report: Mike Woods