Buckhurst Hill (0) 1, Romford (2) 4 – Wednesday 1st October 2025 – Essex Senior League

Two goals from Christian Adu Gyamfi fired Romford to a deserved win at Buckhurst Hill in a much improved performance. Boro were resolute in defence, incisive in attack, and clinical in front of goal, and only a penalty – which he got a hand to – deprived Brad Davison of the clean sheet his display deserved.

Ezra Agyiri’s pace gave the home defence a torrid time and he was desperately unlucky not to get the goal his performance deserved as he hit the frame of the goal in just the second minute and hit the bar with a shot from a short free-kick – awarded after Buckhurst Hill keeper Christian North hand picked up a back-pass – at the same point in the second half.

Both sides had had their chances before Christian Adu Gyamfi netted his first goal since the opening day of the season. Ramzi Mahmoudi set Lewis Browne free on the left and his low cross was diverted past North by Adu Gyamfi after thirteen minutes, but Boro were then indebted to Davison for two saves in quick succession to preserve the lead. First he parried an effort after sixteen minutes with his defence completing the clearance, then he saved superbly from Harry Lusher after the home forward had broken through.

Joe Damrell went close with a shot from 25 yards before Boro doubled their lead in the thirty-seventh minute. Davison came off his line to save and Boro broke quickly with Damrell’s pass sending Agyiri through on the right before he was brought down by Harvey Livings. Ramzi Mahmoudi stepped up to send North the wrong way from the spot.

Lewis Browne – making his first start of the season – shot wide after being found by Flynn Hamilton following a flowing passing move, and the half ended with a minor fracas in front of the benches after which both sides received yellow cards.

Boro should have added to their tally immediately after the break with Adu Gyamfi blasting the ball over the bar from Mahmoudi’s cross from the left and Agyiri hitting the bar before Davison was called into action once again, turning a shot over the bar after 51 minutes, although a Boro defender appeared to have been fouled in the build up.

Buckhurst Hill full-back Harvey Livings went close with a low free-kick after 55 minutes, but three minutes later it was three for Boro and two for Adu Gyamfi as he subtly flicked in a low ball in from the right by Agyiri.

Jake Gordon then made a short lived appearance. Having replaced Lewis Browne after 62 minutes, he had to make way for Fabio Co just five minutes later after tweaking his hamstring.

Agyiri’s curling shot was saved by North after 67 minutes and then Buckhurst Hill ought to have got themselves on the score-sheet when Alfie Padington found himself in space but he sent a poor shot wide. Flynn Hamilton curled a shot wide after 72 minutes but on 76 minutes Boro had their fourth. North saved at the expense of a corner and Mahmoudi’s delivery from the right was not dealt with by the home defence with Teddy Desmond on hand to prod the ball home.

With six minutes remaining, Buckhurst Hill scored what was no more than a consolation goal. Teddy Desmond foolishly pulled a forward by the arm to concede a penalty which Tyler Dolan converted, although Davison got a hand to the shot, but could not keep it out. Davison then made two fine saves to prevent the hosts further reducing the arrears, beating away Callum Maltese’s shot and then tipping a header over the bar.

This was Boro’s third away win in four league games, a marked contrast to the solitary point won at home in the same number of matches.

Romford: Bradley Davison, Ryan Sammons, Teddy Desmond, Joe Damrell, Harry Elsey, Charlie Hare, Ezra Agyiri, Flynn Hamilton (Ola Sosanya 77'), Christian Adu Gyamfi (Nick Reynolds 77'), Lewis Browne (Jake Gordon 62' [Fabio Co, 67’]), Ramzi Mahmoudi
Unused sub: Kris Newby