Romford (1) 2, Saffron Walden Town (0) 1 – Saturday 15th February 2025 – Essex Senior League

On another day, Romford might now be rueing Kennedy Feyi’s 55th penalty, saved by Saffron Walden keeper James Askew, and be looking back on points dropped. As it was, Praise Ogbebor was on the end of a flowing move in the 69th minute, converting to win Boro three valuable points.

It has to be said that if anyone had been keeping such a statistic, Saffron Walden would have been comfortably ahead in terms of possession when Ogbebor scored, but the only stat that matters is the final score and a gritty second half performance from Boro secured all three points.

Early possession was dominated by Saffron Walden, but it was Boro who struck first. With just eight minutes played, Jake Gordon floated a free-kick into the box which, after it had been headed goalwards, Askew attempted to punch clear. The ball fell kindly for Charlie Morris however, and he lashed a fierce shot into the net.

The visitors were immediately at the other end and after sustained passing around the home penalty area, Boro were grateful to scramble the ball clear. And Boro were indebted to the indefatigable Scott Doe after eleven minutes when he made a good block to deny Kaleel Green. Jake Anderson saved a long range effort from Jean Baptiste Fischer after 19 minutes with the visiting player needing treatment, having injured himself in the execution of his shot.

The visitors scythed through the Boro backline after 27 minutes only to be denied a sight of goal by an offside flag, and two minutes later, Ken Feyi became the first of six Boro players yellow carded as he chased back to challenge Jordan Elongo and being adjudged to have fouled him.

Saffron Walden’s pressing game in midfield caused a turnover after 31 minutes with Solomon Ofori setting up Elongo for a shot that went narrowly over the bar, and as the visitors continued to press, Billy Knott curled a free-kick just over the bar and Green had a shot on the turn deflected over for a corner.

The second half opened with Boro creating a decent chance when Ogbebor’s cross from the left found Morris at the back post, but his shot was blocked and a minute later, a 70 yard run by Ogbebor ended with chances for Morris again, and Feyi, who both had shots blocked.

Nathan Fuma was dispossessed on the touchline enabling Green to cut in and create a chance that the Boro defence cleared after 49 minutes but after 50 minutes had been played, Boro created a chance of their own with Harry Brown having a shot blocked.

Less than sixty seconds later, Saffron Walden equalised. The ever dangerous Ofori had a shot blocked, but possession fell to Jeff Cobbiah, and he turned the ball into the net from close range.

Romford had a gilt edged chance to go back in front after 55 minutes when former Boro defender Michael Turner brought Ken Feyi down in the box. Feyi stepped up and hit his penalty to Askew’s right, but the Saffron Walden not only got across to parry the spot kick, but was able to get up and block Harry Brown’s follow up effort.

A melee after Boro had won a free-kick saw a player from each side inevitably booked; remarkably it was the only caution given to the away team.

Sam Deering drove a free-kick against the crossbar after 64 minutes with Boro grateful to hack the loose ball clear, but after 69 minutes Boro netted a goal of stunning quality and simplicity for what proved to be the winner. Charlie Morris – now playing in the right-back slot after Nathan Fuma’s withdrawal following his 63rd minute cation – played the ball down the line to Amaree Robinson-Jones, whose introduction had sparked new life into the Boro attack. Robinson-Jones made ground on the wing and delivered an excellent low cross that Praise Ogbebor met with a first time shot that gave Askew no chance.

Another Boro substitute, Sheri Artmeladze, was also causing the visitors’ defence problems and he curled one shot wide and saw another pushed round the post by Askew. Jake Anderson had to make a decent save from a swerving shot to preserver Boro’s lead, but for all their pressure and possession, Saffron Walden rarely looked like levelling the scores.

Boro held out for an important win, marred only by unnecessary bookings and the injury to Amaree Robinson-Jones in stoppage time when, despite his being clearly fouled, the referee awarded only a corner.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Scott Doe, Nathan Fuma (Amaree Robinson-Jones 67'), Ellis Ashworth, Sam Elwood (Toheeb Elegushi 88'), Jaiden Babalola, Jake Gordon (Arnold Mengi 62'), Harry Brown (Shermandin Artmeladze 61'), Praise Ogbebor, Kennedy Feyi (David Owiredu 85'), Charlie Morris