Romford (1) 3, Halstead Town (1) 2 – Saturday 14th March 2026 – Essex Senior League

For the first time this season, Boro won a league game after trailing and picked up three vital points in the fight against relegation in the process.

Romford had two players making their debuts – goalkeeper Lee Haylock and forward Tayo Oyebola – while Matt Price, Jake Barlow, and Darnell Fuller were all making only their second starts, and they all played their part in Boro’s win which, with all bar one of the other sides in the bottom half losing, creates a five point cushion above the drop zone.

Boro set about the visitors with purpose from the off and in the opening minute Darnell Fuller - who took the Man of The Match award from match sponsors, The Frostys – went close with a low shot before Matt Price and Halstead keeper Jack Cherry tangled with Boro hoping for a penalty only for the foul to go the other way.

Halstead’s Kane Gilbert chipped the ball onto the roof of the Boro net and then Fuller latched onto Flynn Hamilton’s header, cut inside and drew a diving save from Cherry as the sides exchanged chances. Lee Haylock then had to be alert to save a low shot from Gilbert, but back came Boro and Greig Stewart had a shot deflected over from a short corner routine, and from the ensuing corner, Nick Reynolds’ shot went over the bar.

It was somewhat against the run of play that Halstead scored after 25 minutes. Billy Jamison got on the end of a long throw and although Haylock saved his effort with his legs, the ball fell kindly to Kane Gilbert, who followed up to score. Haylock then had to stretch to turn away a low shot after 36 minutes with Halstead’s follow up from the loose ball cleared for a corner.

Haylock set up Boro’s equaliser in the 39th minute. His long, accurate clearance allowed Darnell Fuller a run at the Halstead defence, and when his low cross was pushed out by Cherry, Matt Price was beaten to the ball by Halstead's Kane Gilbert who diverted it into his own net. Boro then had chances to go in front; Fuller set up Price who scuffed his shot wide and then Fuller again showed his pace to get himself into a shooting position, but his effort was blocked.

The second half opened with Flynn Hamilton’s free-kick held by Cherry just under his crossbar, and then Boro had two efforts blocked following a corner before going ahead with a goal on the hour. Tayo Oyebola, on the right flank, played the ball inside to Hamilton, ran onto the return pass and lifted the ball over the advancing Cherry. Five minutes later, Darnell Fuller extended Boro’s lead with a similar goal. Outpacing the Halstead defence, Fuller took Teddy Desmond’s pass in his stride and finished adroitly.

Halstead now began to put pressure on the Boro defence as they sought to get back in the match. Their best chance came when Haylock had to make an important diving save to push away a header from Elias Ahmed.

As the game entered added time, Romford went close to a fourth. Matt Price spotted Cherry slightly off his line and tried his luck from the halfway line, but the backpedalling Halstead keeper managed to tip the ball over the bar. Romford wasted the corner and Halstead moved forward with purpose, cutting Boro’s lead through Harry Pinkney’s shot from outside the penalty area five minutes into stoppage time. They then almost spoiled Boro’s afternoon when Jamie Bennett attempted to catch Haylock off his line with a speculative effort, but fortunately the Boro keeper was able to get back to save.

Boro are not out of the woods yet, but this crucial win means that for the moment, their fate is in their own hands.

Romford: Lee Haylock, Joe Damrell (Munir Hadi 78'), Teddy Desmond, Louis Mathias, Jake Barlow, Nick Reynolds, Tayo Oyebola (Henry Hart 78'), Greig Stewart, Matthew Price, Flynn Hamilton, Darnell Fuller Unused subs: Harry Elsey, Freddy Cooper, Christian Adu Gyamfi

Report: Mike Woods