Romford (0) 1, Frenford (1) 3 - Saturday 1st March 2025 - Essex Senior League

Shorn of key players due to injury and unavailability, a weakened Romford side fell to defeat against a lively Frenford side who took revenge for Boro's win at The Drive back in November. So short handed were Boro that manager Kris Newby and goalkeeper Qamil Dervishaj were among the only four substitutes named.

Much of Boro's promising play was thwarted by Frenford keeper Lee Haylock, who dealt confidently with every single high balll lofted into his penalty area.

In just the third minute the visitors went close. Ash Siddik played the ball back to keeper Jake Anderson only for a Frenford forward to nip on and intercept; fortunately for Romford, he rolled the ball wide of the far post.

On eleven minutes, Frenford's Owen James found himself through on goal, only to be denied by a good covering challenge, but after 20 minutes the away side went ahead. Ash Siddik lost out in a tussle for possession and when the ball was played in from the right, Michah Newton prodded it into the net.

A long throw by Frenford's ex-Boro man Nick Reynolds ended with one shot blocked and the rebound fired over the bar before Romford carved out their first chance of note a minute later. Jake Gordon found Jayden Silcott-Brown on the right and the Boro winger cut in only to see his shot go wide.

Silcott-Brown was denied by Haylock as he ran onto Siddik's through ball as the visitors' keeper raced from his line and pawed the shot away.

Arnold Mengi's speculative effort drifted wide after 34 minutes and after 41 minutes, Jake Gordon was well found by Mengi's pass, but a seconds hesitation on the part of the Boro forward allowed the Frenford defence to clear.

Three minutes into the second half and Boro were given an almighty let off when Scott Doe handled to concede a penalty that Jake Barlow put well wide. It was only a momentary reprieve however, as after 51 minutes Barlow redeemed himself by heading home Frenford's second goal following a cross from the left.

Jake Anderson had to push away a shot after 53 minutes before Scott Doe gave Boro some hope, heading home from Jake Gordon's free kick after 64 minutes, but any chance of a comeback were wiped out when Jake Barlow netted Frenford's third after 70 minutes, as Boro failed to clear just seconds after David Oweridu had seen a shot saved by Haylock.

Jayden Silcott-Brown volleyed Gordon's pass wide and Toheeb Elegushi saw a shot hit the top of a post as Boro strove for a second goal, but it all proved to be in vain.

A second successive defeat leaves Romford with a lot to do if a place in the Play-offs is to be achieved, and Boro's task gets no easier as next weekend's game is away to league leaders Stanway Rovers.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Ellis Ashworth, Ashaan Siddik, Jaiden Babalola,
Scott Doe, Harry Elsey (Nathan Fuma 53'), Jayden Silcott-Brown, Sam Brogan, Jake Gordon, Arnold Mengi(Toheeb Elegushi 53') David Owiredu. Unused subs: Qamil Dervishaj, Kris Newby