Romford 1 Canvey Island 2

New season, new home, and a new look side, but Romford were outdone at The Brentwood Arena by Canvey Island’s former Hornchurch forward George Purcell, whose two goals earned The Gulls maximum points in an entertaining season opener.

Of Romford's starting eleven, only three - Harry Aldridge, Philip Brown-Bampoe, and Jimmy Cox - played in the final league game of last season against Felixstowe, and all of the back four were making their debuts. And this against one of the division's stronger sides, and one which features players who have a great deal more experience at this level. That showed at times, but nonetheless, an encouraging Boro performance, especially when one considers some of the players who were unavailable, including Toby Barlow, Danny Cossington, and Jon Nzengo, while Danny Nesbitt was only able to take a place on the bench. Even so, Boro created a couple of decent chances right at the death, which - if they had been able to take either - would have snatched a point.

Although the visitors were first out of the traps, it was Romford who drew first blood. In the 11th minute Giovanni Palmer burst down the left wing and his low cross found Jimmy Cox, who controlled well and fired low into the corner beyond Lamar Johnson. The remainder of the first half was dominated by Canvey, but they were denied by a combination of mis-firing finishing, good defending, and able goalkeeping from Romford’s Harry Aldridge, who reserved his best save for the final minute of the half when he beat away a fierce free-kick from George Purcell.

Giovanni Palmer was probably Boro's best performer in the first half as he allied sound defending to an eagerness to get forward into attacking positions. His full-back partner Josh Samuels came into the game more after the break and teed up a couple of tempting second half crosses that Boro's forwards were not able to capitalise on.

Romford had more possession in the second half, but Canvey continued to create chances, however it looked as though they may be heading home empty handed until a 71st free kick from just outside the box, struck well by Purcell, took a nasty deflection off Dilan Thandi and wrong-footed Harry Aldridge. Five minutes later, Purcell pounced again, converting from close range from a low right wing cross after Boro had the misfortune to lose possession on the half-way line.

Paul Martin introduced three second half substitutes, and one of them, Jaydon Charles, might have made a name for himself when his fierce drive from Josh Samuels' pass narrowly cleared the bar in the closing stages. Another sub, Billy Stewart, also made an impact, unfortunately it was on a Canvey defender's leg and earned the Boro man a yellow card. Canvey might have snatched a third, but Aldridge diverted Purcell's effort onto the crossbar to deny the ex-Hornchurch man a hat-trick.

In the dying seconds Boro might have snatched an equaliser when a good chance fell to Jay Nash, but unfortunately his effort lacked power and Canvey keeper Johnson was able to smother the ball on the goal-line.

Romford: Harry Aldridge, Joshua Samuels, Giovanni Palmer, Louis Hiobi, Dilan Thandi, Philip Brown-Bampoe (Rashaad Ogun, 84m), Malaki Toussaint, Reece Tranter (Billy Stewart, 77m), Jimmy Cox (Jaydon Charles, 58m), Stanley Green. Unused subs: Jack Riddell, Danny Nesbitt.