Athletic Newham (1) 4, Romford (1) 1 - Essex Senior League - Saturday 22nd February 2025

It's never easy to predict how games against Athletic Newham will go, but one thing is certain, they always work the ball well in midfield and on Boro's first visit to the ground at Parloes Park, the home side cut through that area to devastating effect to inflict a heavy defeat.

The home side were ahead after only four minutes. The impressive Victor Ferrini made progress in midfield and found Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro, who fired a low shot across Jake Anderson and into the bottom corner of the net.

Boro responded with an immediate equaliser. A foul on Sheri Artmeladze in midfield allowed a free-kick to be floated into the box and in a scramble worthy of anything ever seen on a Sunday on one of the park pitches outside the main arena, the ball was finally forced over the line by Harry Brown for his first goal in Boro's colours.

Newham went close to a second goal after 25 minutes when Pedro fed Ferrini who created a shooting opportunity for ex-Boro player Derek O'Halem, whose shot flew wide.

An injury to Harry Brown saw Boro's goalscorer make way for Ken Feyi after 32 minutes,  and Romford were agonisingly close to a second goal as the half wound down when, after 42 minutes, Charlie Morris capitalised on a defensive error, but his shot hit a post and from the follow up shot by Toheeb Elegushi, Newham keeper Harold Adu-Poku, pushed the ball wide for a corner.

A back injury to Charlie Morris saw the Boro player replaced at the beginning of second half, and within 90 seconds of the restart, Newham went ahead as Abdul Khamis was found on the right and he cut in to find the net with a low shot.

Romford had few chances after the break. The best of those that were created fell to Praise Ogbebor, whose shot was kicked away by Adu-Poku on the hour mark. Newham should have bagged a third by that stage anyway as they spooned a glorious chance over the bar in the 57th minute, but they established a two goal lead after 81 minutes when Boro lost possession in midfield and Pedro was put through to convert decisively.

Jake Gordon had a shot that was comfortably saved after 82 minutes but the home side sealed their win with a fourth goal in the penultimate minute of normal time as they won the ball by their own corner flag and powered forward to create a shooting chance for Kai Torres, which he buried.

All in all, a bad day at the office for Boro, whose chances of achieving a place in the Play-offs are now receding somewhat.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Nathan Fuma, Sam Elwood, Ashaan Siddik (Arnold Mengi 66'),
Scott Doe, Ellis Ashworth, Toheeb Elegushi (Jayden Silcott-Brown 59'), Jake Gordon, Harry Brown (Kennedy Feyi 34'), Shermandin Artmeladze(Praise Ogbebor 58'), Charlie Morris(Jaiden Babalola 46')