Romford (2) 2, Great Wakering Rovers (0) 2 – Saturday 19th September 2026 – Essex Senior League

When Harrison Day put Romford two ahead in the last minute of the first half, a Boro win looked likely to be the outcome. Four half-time substitutions rejuvenated the visitors however, and changed the complexion of the game completely. After they had drawn level, it was Rovers who looked the more probable winners. In the end, Boro were grateful for the point.

Romford were well on top in the opening minutes. Samir Ali put a shot wide in the very first minute and after nine minutes Aron Gordon took Jaxon Brown's pass and tricked his way to the goal-line, but could not beat Wakering keeper George Marsh with his cross.

Brown then found Greig Stewart, whose low shot was saved by Marsh after 13 minutes, and Boro went agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 19th minute when Day's overhead kick from Stewart's cross was blocked with Marsh smothering the follow up.

Romford finally found the net after 30 minutes. Day ran onto a lofted pass by Teddy Desmond that the Wakering defence could not clear and found the net with a low shot despite being forced wide.

A rare chance for the visitors saw Brandy Makuendi shoot over after 32 minutes, but Boro had a sight of goal two minutes later when Ben Sargent struck a shot that cleared the crossbar. Sargent was involved at the other end soon after, blocking a shot after 42 minutes, but in the last minute of the first period, Day doubled Boro's lead. A good build up gave Brown the opportunity to cross and Day showed excellent control, and turned before firing past Marsh.

The second half was a totally different game. Rovers went close after 47 minutes when Brandy Makuendi shot wide after running into space having taken advantage of Jake Barlow's misplaced header and the same player was only denied a shooting opportunity in a dangerous area by Stewart's last ditch intervention.

The next score was always going to be important and it went the way of the visitors, who scored the goal their play had been threatening after 61 minutes. Finley Ledger's shot was pushed out by George Sapsford but after Boro had blocked Rovers' next effort, Shaun Gittleson found the net with a well struck shot from outside the box.

A second goal always looked likely as Rovers were by now on top, and it came in the 68th minute they got it when Harry Talbot found space on the left and shot across goal and in at the far post.

The sides exchanged chances as the game entered the closing stages as Romford finally began to show greater attacking intentions. Prince Sikiru headed Kelson McFarlane's corner into the grateful arms of Marsh after 71 minutes and then Brown deposited a cross shot onto the roof of the net.

Wakering continued to look dangerous however, and when he conceded a free-kick on the edge of the Boro penalty and was duly booked after 78 minutes, Jake Barlow must have been relieved to see Gittleson place his shot over the bar from the dead ball.

Stewart's shot curled over a minute later and then McFarlane had a shot comfortably saved by Marsh. Rovers created the chance of a winner as the game entered the final minute when, after a quick break, Reece Conway shot wide, but Boro might have won it at the death, only for Ekow Owusu-Boakye to divert Desmond’s low cross over the bar with what was the last kick of the game.

Romford will be disappointed not to have recorded their first home league win of the season after dominating the first half and racking up two goal advantage, while Rovers will be equally disappointed that their second half comeback did not earn them a first league win anywhere. On that basis, a draw was probably the fairest outcome.

Romford: George Sapsford, Ben Sargent, Teddy Desmond, Alfie Osborne, Jake Barlow, Freddy Tandon (Prince Sikiru 56'), Aron Gordon (Matt Blake 75'), Greig Stewart (Ekow Owusu-Boakye 80'), Harrison Day, Jaxon Brown, Samir Ali (Kelson McFarlane 41'). Unused sub: Fabio Vieira