ROMFORD 1 (0) - (3) 4 Bowers And Pitsea Attendance 148 - Rookery Hill

Bowers took an unassailable lead in a first half where they exhibited the tried and tested formula for success at this level. Fast direct play to supply prolific strikers and backed up by strong, no nonsense defending with as much gamesmanship that you can get away with. They caught out the Boro defence early on in the 8th minute when a run and low cross from the right flew across the face of the goal and went in after hitting Martyn Stokes, although it was initially thought to be an own goal by Ayo Olukoga. The second followed after 17 minutes when David Knight collected a pass on the edge of the box and turned and lobbed Harry Aldridge. At this stage the last thing Bowers needed was any help from the referee but he seemed reluctant to penalise pushes and trips by their defence and Romford supporters were howling with disbelief when Khadean Campbell was fouled on the edge of the box when through, but play was waved on. The third Bowers goal arrived 3 minutes before the break with Bradley Warner hammering home a low cross shot into the far corner.

Paul Martin made two attacking substitutions before the start of the second period and for the first time in the match the visitors were put under pressure with a revitalised Boro laying siege to their goal. Calvin Poku, on for his debut was looking particularly impressive partnering Nick Reynolds up front and his point blank header drew a great save from Bowers stopper Andrew Wilton. Romford skipper Danny Cossington always seems to win headers against much taller opponents at corners and when he did so again it travelled on to Henry Fisher whose back flick was cleared off the line. Unfortunately Boro's defensive frailties were highlighted again after a 52nd minute breakaway when David Knight pounced on an error and hit home his second to effectively put the game to bed.

Romford now threw caution to the winds and almost immediately Jonathan Nzengo won a corner on the right which he took himself and drove in for Poku to head home. They should have scored again when an almighty goalmouth scramble ended with a Boro shot being kept out when it hit one of their own players on the line, but Bowers also looked dangerous whenever they attacked and paid Romford the compliment of indulging in a lot of timewasting.

This was probably Boro's stiffest test before the end of the season against a side who are looking like a good bet for the championship even at this early stage and they can take some hope from their fighting second half performance.

Team: Harry Aldridge, Oguz Yasar (Nathan Joseph 46) , Henry Fisher, Philip Brown-Bampoe, Ayo Olukoga, Danny Cossington (c), Jonathan Nzengo, Malaki Toussaint, Khadean Campbell, Nick Reynolds (Pedro Carvalho 83), Reece Hewitt (Calvin Poku 46)
Unused Subs: Toby Barlow,, Danny Nesbitt

Goal: Calvin Poku 56

Yellow Cards: Reece Hewitt 30, Nathan Joseph 79