Hullbridge Sports (0) 3, Romford (2) 3 – Essex Senior League – Tuesday 3rd September 2024

For an hour Romford were dominant, imperious, and well worth their three goal lead, but a red card for Hullbridge’s Jake Wiggins, followed shortly after by a goal they pulled back, seemed to inspire the home side who scored twice late on to deprive Boro of a third league win of the season.

There was little to suggest that there would be such late drama when Kennedy Feyi headed in his first Boro goal that added to strikes by Praise Ogbebor and Arnold Mengi within the first twelve minutes, but drama there was including an 87th minute penalty equaliser for Hullbridge and a second yellow for Derek Feyi in stoppage time. It also appeared that after the final whistle both Kris Newby and Lee Benson were shown red cards by referee Royan Campbell.

The game began with Boro on top and in just the second minute Praise Ogbebor created a shooting opportunity for Kennedy Feyi but Luis Shamshoum was equal to it. He could do nothing a minute later however, when Ogbebor’s shot from outside the box took a deflection and nestled in the net (pictured by Bob Knightley).

With twelve minutes played Boro doubled their lead when having pressured the home defence into conceding possession, Ogbebor set up Arnold Mengi for a fierce shot that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

So little was seen of Hullbridge as an attacking force that their only effort of any note in the first period was a shot from Mechack Asuka that lacked both power and direction and trickled wide of goal, although in the final minute of the half Harry Girling did have to race outside his box to clear as Asuka made strides forward.

Boro might have had more goals: Andy Morris headed over from Aundre Spencer’s corner and Lucas Polyblank shot over the bar. Romford also had three or four decent attacks thwarted by offside flags which were dubious in the extreme and also picked up two bookings for fouls by Nathan Fuma and Derek Feyi, the latter of which would prove significant later, particularly as the challenge for which he was cautioned followed two by Hullbridge players that seemed worthy of free-kicks but which were ignored.

Romford continued to dominate at the start of the second half with Kennedy Feyi twice denied by Luis Shamshoum in the Hullbridge goal before the Boro forward netted his first goal for the club when he headed home Sam Elwood’s cross after the Boro full-back had been played in by Polyblank.

Hullbridge’s Ollie Jenkins hit the Boro crossbar with a powerful shot after 62 minutes after running strongly at the Boro defence, but when former Boro player Jake Wiggins was sent off for a second yellow card to reduce the home side to ten men with 22 minutes remaining it should have been game over.

Despite the home side reducing the arrears with a good headed goal by substitute Connor Hart after 75 minutes, it seemed no more than a blip until the same player scored again five minutes before the end when he converted at the far post. Just a minute later the home side levelled. Jenkins again ran strongly at the Romford defence and while there was little doubt that he was fouled, many observers felt that the challenge was outside the box. Referee Royan Campbell thought otherwise however, pointing to the spot with a dramatic flourish. Freddie Moriarty converted the spot-kick.

A rather harsh yellow card for Derek Feyi in the fourth minute of stoppage time reduced Boro to ten men and brought to an end an evening that for the most part been thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying but which ultimately ended with no little frustration.

Boro remain unbeaten in the league and now occupy fifth spot having been top of the pile at one point during the evening.

Romford: Harry Girling, Sam Elwood, Andy Morris, Derek Feyi, Aundre Spencer, Nathan Fuma (Jake Giddings 54m), Praise Ogbebor (Izaih Antoine 66m), Arnold Mengi( Leandro Alva 70m), Lucas Polyblank (Reece McGovern 70m), Toheeb Elegushi, Kennedy Feyi (David Owiredu 66')