Romford (0) 1, Barking (1) 2 – Saturday 18th April 2026 – Essex Senior League

There have been plenty of games this season when Romford have been well beaten, but this was not one of them, and had Boro earned the draw their performance deserved, Barking could scarcely have complained. As it was, a late goal from Saliu Lo Seye gave Barking all three points, assuring them of a Play-Off place and leaving Boro needing a point at least from the final game of the campaign next Saturday against Harwich & Parkeston to retain their Essex Senior League status for next season.

Matt Price was well forward and well found in the early stages only to be flagged offside twice and Barking had the first real chance after 15 minutes when Boro keeper Lee Haylock had to push away a free-kick before Barking’s Ryan Pickles shot over the bar after a partially cleared corner saw the ball come his way.

Flynn Hamilton had a shot comfortably save by Barking keeper Omer Ozer after 27 minutes, but Barking went very close soon afterwards when a cross by Ricky Modeste on the right was deflected against the near post. A dangerous low cross by ex-Romford forward Finlay Dorrell flashed across goal after 35 minutes before Barking took the lead after 38 minutes. Teddy Desmond fouled Dorrell as he strode into the penalty area and referee Alan Steward pointed to the spot. Lee Haylock went the right way, but Sam Edwards’s spot kick found the corner of the net.

Haylock denied former Hackney Wick striker Issa Sidibe, saving with his feet, as the game entered first half stoppage time and the first period ended with a shot by Matt Price that fizzed across the Barking goal.

The second half was only two minutes old when Boro levelled the scores, and what a great goal it was. Teddy Desmond played the ball in from the left flank; Flynn Hamilton exchanged passes with Greig Stewart and struck an excellent shot into the top corner that left Ozer grasping at thin air.

There was a big decision for referee Steward to make in the 59th minute. Matt Price chased a long ball forward, Barking goalkeeper Ozer came out and punched clear, clattering Price in the process. It looked like a penalty, but Steward ruled it a foul by Price, which seemed harsh considering that contact looked to have been initiated by the visitors’ goalkeeper.

Dorrell hooked a shot wide of the Boro goal after 67 minutes and then Christian Adu Gyamfi burst forward for Romford only to be denied by a last ditch challenge. Seventy one minutes in and Barking went close to a second as Dorrell cut inside and fired a shot against the post and as Barking retained possession from the rebound, Haylock had to react smartly to turn a shot away for a corner. Ryan Pickles then had a shy at the Boro goal, but his shot was off target.

Boro had two decent chances in the 75th and 76th minutes. Henry Hart ran on to Adu Gyamfi’s header but his goalbound shot was kicked away by Ozer and then Chris Miller showed excellent technique to volley at goal only for Ozer to save at the second attempt.

Barking scored what proved to be the winner after 79 minutes when Saliu Lo Seye got goal side of Hart, fended off Hart’s challenge and fired into Haylock’s left hand corner. The visitors then went close on two occasions, Haylock having to turn a shot from James Folkes round his left hand post and then watching as a cross from the right was deflected onto the crossbar.

There were chances for both sides in the closing minutes. Millar’s shot hit the outside of the Barking net in the 88th minute and in the final minute of normal time, Charlie Thomson’s shot was turned aside by Haylock. Then, in the fourth added minute, Darnell Fuller weaved his way into the box but his under hit shot failed to find the target.

Results elsewhere mean that at least Boro’s fate is in their own hands going into the final Saturday of the season, and a win against Harwich & Parkeston would guarantee Essex Senior League football next season; even a draw might be enough depending on the outcome of other fixtures.

Romford: Lee Haylock, Joe Damrell (Henry Hart 65'), Teddy Desmond (Darnell Fuller 82'), Harry Elsey, Ben Sampayo, Nick Reynolds, Greig Stewart, Louis Mathias (Chris Millar 62'), Christian Adu Gyamfi, Flynn Hamilton, Matthew Price (Ibitayo Oyebola 86') Unused sub: Liam Boxall

Report: Mike Woods