Romford (1) 1, Barking (1) 3 – Essex Senior League – Friday 11th April 2025

For much of this game there was little to chose between the sides as Romford started as they had finished at Benfleet on Tuesday, very much on the front foot. Over the course of the game however, Barking’s direct style and the predatory instincts of striker Sam Shaban – who netted a hat-trick – put the game beyond Boro.

Harry Markatis found Prince Commodore with a good ball after five minutes but Commodore’s shot was charged down, however it wasn’t long until Boro were ahead. In the eighth minute, Ivan Imasuen won the ball on the half-way line and played it forward to Jordan Burnett who in turn found Blaise Uwandji on the left; he cut in to fire a low shot that caught Barking goalkeeper Dan Purdue unprepared and found the bottom corner.

Sadly, Boro’s lead lasted no more than sixty seconds. Straight from the restart Barking pumped one of their trademark long balls forward to former Boro striker Hassan Nalbant. Byron Humbles went down as the two players tussled for the ball and Nalbant – who was otherwise pretty anonymous over the course of the ninety minutes - laid it back to Sam Shaban and he scored from near the penalty spot.

Bryon Humbles headed a corner from the left just over the Barking crossbar after seventeen minutes but Romford were indebted to keeper Qamil Dervishaj for preventing the visitors from going ahead after nineteen minutes when he made a brilliant diving save to his left to deny the impressive Akilijo Balliu, who then set up a shooting opportunity for Alfie Attrill, whose shot went wide. Balliu then nearly caught Dervishaj unprepared with a 41st minute corner that hit the frame of the goal.

Romford were quickest out of the blocks in the second half and after 48 minutes a fine through pass found Commodore whose shot was kicked away by Purdue and after 53 minutes a cross by Jordan Burnett – who again impressed in just his fourth game in a Boro shirt – was volleyed over the bar by Sam Brogan.

Barking went ahead on the hour. Caleb Dennis crossed from the right and Sam Shaban stole in front of Ivan Imasuen to stoop and direct his header across Dervishaj and in at the far post. Dervishaj saved well from Balliu after 73 minutes but he was beaten for the third time after 79 minutes when Shaban lofted the ball over him from eight yards after Balliu’s pass had taken a deflection off a Boro player and sat up in his path.

Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Arnold Mengi, Jayden Silcott-Brown, Jake Gordon (Samson Adelaja 46'), Ivan Imasuen, Byron Humbles, Prince Manuel Commodore (Zinnel Royes 65'), Harry Markatis, Blaise Uwandji, Jordan Burnett, Sam Brogan (Ross Elsom 83'). Unused subs: Darnell Ramsay, Olakunmi Sosanya.