Romford (1) 1, Hullbridge Sports (1) 2 – Saturday 8th February 2025 – Essex Senior League

On a drab, dull afternoon, Boro produced a performance that was equally drab and grey and fell to a fifth home league defeat of the season against a Hullbridge side that fully deserved the three points they went home with.

Even so, Boro ought to have snatched a point in the dying minutes; Sheri Artmeladze burst into the box in the 87th minute but was denied by Hullbridge keeper Laurence Whymark only for the ball to run loose to Harry Brown who looked odds on to net an equaliser, only for Whymark to fling himself across and block the ball at the expense of only a corner.

Boro had a couple of early opportunities: Amaree Robinson-Jones was a whisker away from connecting with a low cross from Charlie Morris after five minutes and after Sheri Artmeladze and Hullbridge’s ex-Boro defender had contested a loose ball that might have earned Boro a penalty, Artmeladze was only denied a shot at goal by a terrific covering tackle.

Worryingly for Romford however, most of their forward passes were easily picked off by the visiting defence, and with the Hullbridge midfield energetic and creative, it was clear that Boro were not going to get things all their own way. And so it proved when Hullbridge went ahead after 16 minutes. Andy Morris conceded a free-kick on the Boro right and when the ball was lofted into the box, Connor Hart rose unchallenged to head into the far corner.

The visitors created another opportunity almost immediately with Darnell Williams holding off Ellis Ashworth, but his shot was well wide. Sam Park lifted a free-kick over the Hullbridge bar after 27 minutes while Jake Anderson had to make a low save after 33 minutes, but at this point, Sports were the better side, and in the half’s penultimate minute they went close to a second. Boro conceded possession and Anderson had to get down to turn Pier Hatcliff’s shot past the post.

Romford exploited that let off by levelling the scores in the 45th minute. Charlie Morris was well found on the right and he laid the ball off to Artmeladze, who cut in and fired a low, left footed shot into the bottom corner.

Artmeladze fired extravagantly over the bar after 53 minutes when he latched onto Brian Moses’s header, but Boro had a real let off minutes later when, after Anderson had made a low save, a Hullbridge forward followed up only to sky the ball well over the bar.

Boro were reduced to ten men after 61 minutes when Ash Siddik brought down a Hullbridge forward who was in full flight towards the Boro goal; as he was last man, a red card inevitably ensued. The resulting free-kick was only partially cleared and Boro were lucky not to concede a second goal when the loose ball presented Hullbridge with an open goal after the ball had cannoned off the bar, but fortunately F Romford, their finish was woefully off target.

A second Hullbridge goal was not long coming however, as after 71 minutes a low shot from Oscar Jones found the bottom corner of the net. There was plenty of endeavour from Romford as they sought an equaliser, but not enough quality and the visiting defence held Boro at bay to seal their win.

Defeat leaves Boro eight points adrift of the Play-Off places and a big performance is required next Saturday when Saffron Walden Town come to Mayesbrook Park.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Jaiden Babalola, Arnold Mengi (Praise Ogbebor 66') Ashaan Siddik, Andy Morris (Wyan Reid 46'), Ellis Ashworth, Charlie Morris, Sam Park (Harry Brown 69'), Brian Moses (Jake Gordon 69'), Amaree Robinson-Jones (Kennedy Feyi 69'), Shermandin Artmeladze