White Ensign (2) 3, Romford (0) 0 – Essex Senior League – Saturday 19th April 2025

The first twenty minutes of this game were fairly even – if anything, Romford had been the better side - but two goals inside five minutes knocked Boro back on their heels and gave White Ensign an advantage that they would not relinquish.

In the very first minute Boro created a decent opening. Jake Gordon’s cross from the left was partially cleared and Sam Brogan fired a shot from outside the penalty area that Ensign keeper Bradley Davison punched away. Boro keeper Qamil Dervishaj then earned his corn when he beat away a shot from Robbie Allen, but the first inkling that things would not go Boro’s way came after ten minutes. Ola Sosanya made a challenge on the halfway line that was solid but fair only to see referee Benjamin Kelly award a free-kick against him and also brandish a yellow card without hesitation; it seemed harsh in the extreme.

Worse followed. After 21 minutes, Qamil Dervishaj and Ensign forward Jon Evans contested a loose ball and as both men fell to the ground, referee Kelly pointed to the spot without a second’s hesitation. Evans’s stuttering run-up deceived Dervishaj into moving to his left and the Ensign forward rolled the ball into the opposite corner to give the home side a 24th minute lead.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Robbie Allen controlled a ball in from the left on his chest before turning and placing his shot past Dervishaj’s left hand. Shell-shocked Boro went close through Jordan Burnett as the half came to an end, but White Ensign immediately had a chance of their own which resulted in Allen shooting wide. Harry Elsey became the second Boro defender to receive a caution when he was penalised for a foul on the edge of his own penalty in the final minute of another disappointing half for Boro.

White Ensign put the game to bed in the first minute of the second period. The home side had put Boro under pressure straight from the kick-off and after Dervishaj had saved one shot with a foot, the ball was played back in and Evans netted his second of the match.

Jayden Silcott-Brown was put through just a couple of minutes after Ensign’s third but his shot was comfortably saved by Davison and Sanson Adelaja volleyed wide after Lewis Gardener’s cross had been headed away by an Ensign defender. At the other end a cross by George Godfrey was volleyed over the bar by Evans, but as play switched from end to end, Prince Commodore hit the outside of a post. Back came Ensign and Dervishaj made a good save from Allen’s low shot on the hour mark.

Romford had a decent chance after 79 minutes when Zinnel Royes crossed and Silcott-Brown volleyed over, but Ensign were looking the more likely scorers and they went close twice more before the final whistle. Substitute Ellis Devereux broke through on goal but was forced wide and shot into the side netting after 82 minutes and after 85 minutes the same player again found himself through on goal, but Dervishaj saved.

A season of mixed fortunes winds down to its conclusion with the visit of Buckhurst Hill to Mayesbrook Park next Saturday. Boro boss Kris Newby will have plenty to mull over – both good and bad – during the summer.

Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Blaise Uwandji, Jayden Silcott-Brown, Jake Gordon (Ross Elsom 64'), Olakunmi Sosanya (Lewis Gardener 27'), Harry Elsey, Jordan Burnett, Harry Markatis, Samson Adelaja, Sam Brogan (Zinnel Royes 65'), Prince Manuel Commodore (Darnell Ramsay 64') Unused sub: Arnold Mengi