Saffron Walden Town (3) 6, Romford (0) 0 – Saturday 21st March 2026 – Essex Senior League

There was little to choose between the teams over the course of the first 45 minutes except in one crucial regard – putting the ball in the net. Saffron Walden managed it three times despite not really having any more, or better, chances than Boro had. The hosts were more dominant after the break however, scoring three more and limiting Boro to a few half chances.

Saffron Walden had the first effort on goal, ex-Boro man Sam Deering having a shot deflected over in the opening minute before Romford created a good chance after six minutes when Tayo Oyebola’s cross from the right was met on the volley by Darnell Fuller forcing Walden keeper George Coton to claw round the post. Coton fumbled the ensuing corner from which the home side broke quickly only for Kaleel Green to shoot straight at Lee Haylock.

The home side broke the deadlock with a simple goal after 15 minutes when Coton’s long kick was headed on for Green to score, but Boro had a good chance to level after 20 minutes when Oyebola headed on for Matt Price who delayed his shot and Coton came out to deny him. Louis Mathias ran onto Greig Stewart’s pass a minute later but his shot from a wide position was comfortably gathered by Coton.

Teddy Desmond had a shot tipped round a post by Coton on the half hour and when Walden came forward after dealing with the corner, Joe Damrell was adjudged to have fouled his man conceding a free-kick and picking up the first of three yellow cards meted out to Boro players over the course of the afternoon. Deering floated the free-kick into the Romford penalty area and Jack Clarke headed home a simple goal.

Darnell Fuller’s shot from Greig Stewart’s pass drifted wide after 39 minutes while at the other end Haylock saved Green’s low shot in the first added minute at the end of the half before Saffron Walden scored their third in the fourth additional minute, another ex-Boro man Toheeb Elegushi running onto a header and firing into the bottom corner.

Darnell Fuller went close with a header that went just over the bar in the first minute of the second half with what was possibly Boro’s best opportunity – a disallowed goal apart – of the half. Saffron Walden were presented with their fourth goal on a plate after 54 minutes. Coby Miles dispossessed Lee Haylock after he had received a back-pass and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Boro then had two players booked in quick succession. Greig Stewart was cautioned for what the referee perceived as a foul on Saffron Walden keeper Coton in what seemed like no more than a coming together and then Matt Price was yellow carded for raising his foot in an attempt to control the ball but in a fashion that referee Chris Rammell deemed dangerous.

Jake Gordon – who had replaced the injured Freddy Cooper just before half-time – hit a free-kick straight at Coton before Oyebola found the net only for the strike to be chalked off as he had used his arm to control the ball.

The home side scored their fifth after 74 minutes when Will Avis finished off a good passing move and after 78 minutes it was six when Green swept in a low cross from the right. It might have been worse for Boro with ten minutes remaining as Wardle headed Green’s cross narrowly wide.

Games are running out and with Boro’s position in the table precarious, there can be no slip ups when bottom club Frenford come to Mayesbrook Park next Saturday.

Romford: Lee Haylock, Joe Damrell (Henry Hart 54'), Teddy Desmond (Nick Reynolds 54'), Freddy Cooper (Jake Gordon 43'), Jake Barlow, Harry Elsey, Tayo Oyebola (Christian Adu Gyamfi 78'), Greig Stewart, Louis Mathias (Munir Hadi 78'), Darnell Fuller, Matthew Price

Report by Mike Woods