Romford (2) 2, Athletic Newham (1) 2 – Saturday 30th August 2025 – Essex Senior League

A hotly contested goal by Newham’s Chuks Uzor five minutes into the second half – Romford were still complaining after the final whistle that the scorer was offside – meant that the points were shared after Boro had led 2-0 with less than half an hour played.

The first thirty minutes were dominated by Romford and for once the chances that were created were largely converted. In just the fifth minute, Athletic Newham keeper Harvey Simson had to stretch to push away a low shot by Fabio Co and from the ensuing corner, Co’s low cross was blasted over by Manny Ogunrinde, featuring for Boro for the first time since 2022. The visitors threatened when George Rankin headed over from a left wing cross after 16 minutes, and after 21 minutes, Ryan Sammons had to make a superb recovering tackle to halt a Newham attack, from which Boro broke quickly with Ogunrinde’s low cross from the right finding Ellis Devereux, who turned and fired his shot into the roof of the net.

A good advantage played by referee Steven Walsh – who had an excellent game – allowed Joe Damrell a sight of goal, but his 24th minute shot was disappointingly off target. It wasn’t long before Boro doubled their lead however, as after a surging run down the left, Ezra Agyiri delivered a low cross that Ogunrinde converted at the far post (main picture, above). Co then forced a save from Simson with a low shot, but the visitors got one back after 32 minutes when Arthur Massingham found space, ran on and fired a low shot past Davison.

Boro had chances to restore their two goal advantage before the break: Shad Ngandu headed over following a short corner routine in the 42nd minute and in the penultimate minute of the half, Co headed Damrell’s cross tantalisingly wide.

The visitors stunned Boro with an equaliser five minutes into the second period. Chuks Uzor was put through on the left and finished with a low shot past Davison, but Boro were aghast that the flag had not been raised against Uzor who looked have strayed offside.

The remainder of the game saw both sides go close, but Boro will be particularly frustrated by the amount of possession that was not turned into goals as misplaced passes, good defending and a dollop of bad luck denied them a winner.

Flynn Hamilton – introduced as a substitute for Joe Damrell after 56 minutes – almost made an immediate impact when his on target 63rd minute shot was deflected wide, and after 67 minutes another substitute – Jake Gordon – put Harry Honesty (who had replaced Ezra Agyri) through, but Simson came off his line to save.

Seventy-two minutes in and Newham went close to taking the lead when Harry Elsey missed his tackle on Romford’s left flank, and after some pinball in the box, Boro were relieved to see the ball deflected over the bar for a corner. Three minutes later Jake Gordon was found by an excellent ball over the top, but despite his best efforts to bring the ball under control, was unable to get a shot away. Gordon had been fouled as he attempted to bring the ball under control however, but debut making Shad Ngandu’s shot from the ensuing free-kick was saved at full length by Simson.

Romford’s best chance of a winner fell to Harry Honesty after 81 minutes. Flynn Hamilton was put through and after his shot was saved by Simson, the ball ran kindly to Honesty whose follow up effort clattered the bar.

A better performance than of late in the league, but ultimately, points dropped against a side struggling at the foot of the table.

Romford: Bradley Davison, Ryan Sammons, Teddy Desmond, Joe Damrell (Flynn Hamilton 56'), Nick Reynolds, Harry Elsey (Ola Sosanya 74'), Manny Ogunrinde, Shad Ngandu, Ellis Devereux (Jake Gordon 65'), Fabio Co (Harry Markatis 71'), Ezra Agyiri (Harry Honesty 56')