Romford (0) 0, Hutton (3) 6 – Saturday 31st October 2026 – Essex Senior League

Not even the most optimistic Romford follower could draw a positive from this abject display. Hutton were the better team throughout and fully deserved their victory as Boro persistently passed sideways and backwards without ever looking likely to break down the visitors' defence and regularly presented the ball to their opponents, who took full advantage.

Over the course of 90 minutes, visiting goalkeeper Stefan Lamacq was only called into action twice, pushing away a shot by Jack Zielinski after 75 minutes and then beating out Chris John's shot three minutes later. Those saves apart, Lamacq could have spent his afternoon on the terraces, so untroubled was he.

Hutton had a chance within 60 seconds of the start when Jake Barlow could not clear a cross from the right, but when the ball fell to Adam Vyse, he could only shoot wide. That was but a temporary reprieve however, as after six minutes the visitors, having outnumbered Boro in midfield, worked the ball to Chukwuka Eseka and he netted from eight yards.

It went from bad to worse as Hutton doubled their lead after 18 minutes. After losing the ball in midfield, Boro gave away a corner, which was cleared, only for Hutton to reclaim possession and set up Andrei Cocan for a shot that beat George Sapsford's despairing dive.
Between the goals, Romford did create a couple of chances. An eighth minute header by Ekow Owusu-Boakye from Kenny Nobrega's cross was easily gathered by Lamacq, and then Barlow headed Kian Cocking's corner over the bar.

Jack Zielinski went down in the Hutton penalty area after 21 minutes, but optimistic appeals for a penalty were waved away, and the visitors looked the more likely to score if anyone was. Only a good save by Sapsford prevented Eseka getting his second after 26 minutes, but the Boro keeper was powerless to prevent a third Hutton goal on 31 minutes when the visitors moved the ball across from the left and Eseka tapped home.

Jack Zielinski ran onto a superb pass from Kenny Nobrega in the 36th minute but rather than reducing the arrears, shot into the side netting, while off target shots from outside the box by Chris John and Jake Barlow were the only other efforts that Boro could manage in a dismal first half.

Hopes that the second half might see a Romford revival were dashed after 52 minutes when Adam Vyse curled a shot past Sapsford, again after Boro had lost possession in their own half.

One time Romford man Elliott Howson made it five on the hour after Boro lost the ball yet again and the ball was crossed for Howson to tap home, and it was less than 60 seconds later when Hutton scored again, and once more it was Romford giving the ball away and allowing Luca Savill to stride forward and drive a shot into the net from outside the box.

As well as the late chances that fell Zielinski and John’s way, Ezra Agyiri hit the bar from close range, but Boro were denied even a consolation goal. When the final whistle sounded it was a blessed relief after 90 awful minutes.

Four of Hutton’s goals stemmed from Romford cheaply conceding possession, a fault that has been prevalent all season and which needs to be fixed ahead of Boro’s next game, the trip to play Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday. That would be a daunting enough fixture under any circumstances since the last four games at Scraley Road have all gone the way of the home side with an aggregate score of 22-4, but even more so since Swifts are currently unbeaten in the league after nine wins from their opening ten games and with five straight wins at home.

Things can only get better – can’t they?

Romford: George Sapsford, Kenny Nobrega, Nathan Inga (Rhian Fowler 46'), Alfie Osborne (Ezra Agyiri 63'), Jake Barlow, Julius Nwike (Chris John 35'), Aron Gordon, Ekow Owusu-Boakye, Jack Zielinski, Jaxon Brown, Kian Cocking. Unused sub: Freddy Tandon