Romford 1, Grays Athletic 6

Romford's abject start to the season continued with this comprehensive defeat at the hands of a Grays Athletic side who were simply better in every department.

The early stages gave little indication that a defeat of this magnitude was in the offing, but once Grays got their noses in front they showed no mercy and for the second time this season, George Purcell, who scored twice against Boro on the opening day of the season for Canvey Island, weighed in with a pair of second half strikes.

Romford actually had the best of the early chances. In as early as the third minute, a long throw from the unlikely source of Luke McLeavy created an opportunity for Danny Cossington, whose effort was narrowly off target, and then a bad back pass by former Boro man Steve King was seized upon by Timi Babalola, but he showed too much of the ball to Grays keeper Sambridge who was able to clear. A series of Romford shots were blocked, the last one by Charlie Little, who was accidentally pole axed, resulting in a drop ball at which - not for the first time this season - a referee (Neil West on this occasion) seemed unclear on the change to the Law.

Babalola then beat Sambridge to a long through ball, but his effort on goal lacked pace, allowing the Grays keeper to get back and clear, before Jack Riddell in the Boro goal was called into action for the first time, saving a low shot. Joao Carlos then had a sight of Boro's goal, but his shot was deflected for a corner, which was poorly dealt with, but eventually scrambled to safety. A portent of things to come.

Grays went ahead after 36 minutes through Steve King. Riddell had done well to push Purcell's shot wide of the post, but failed to deal with the resulting corner, and after some pinball in the Boro area, King drove the ball home. Worse was to follow, as Riddell was beaten to another corner and Luke Callender scored to give Grays a 2-0 half-time lead that they scarcely deserved.

After the interval, clinical finishing by Grays was the key difference between the sides, while Romford's attacks all too often saw someone stray offside, or ended with a hopeful long ball picked off by the visiting defence. Riddell denied Purcell in the first minute of the second period, but presented with a 55th minute free-kick twenty-five yards or so from the Romford goal, the former Hornchurch striker arrowed his shot unerringly into the top corner. A minute later and Grays went 4-0 ahead when Carlos broke down the left and tucked his shot just inside the far post.

In the 65th minute Romford gave their fans something to cheer when Jimmy Cox found Giovanni Palmer on the left and his low cross was converted by Babalola for his fourth goal in as many games, but the joy was short lived as Carlos shimmied into the area, put Riddell on his backside, and scored his second of the game.

The impressive Ethan Kessell had a shot well saved by Sambridge with five minutes remaining, but Purcell had the last word, converting from close range in the 88th minute.

While Romford's performance was not as bad as the scoreline suggests, this result leaves Boro still three points adrift of nineteenth placed Brentwood Town, and with a goal difference thirteen goals worse after just seven games. Worrying times, and improvement needed quickly.

Romford: Jack Riddell, Nathan Joseph, Toby Barlow (Rashaad Ogun, 67m), Luke McLeavy, Michael Agboola, Danny Cossington (Giovanni Palmer, 46m), Ethan Kessell, Malaki Toussaint, Timi Babalola, Jimmy Cox (Inesh Sumithran, 66m), Charlie Little. Subs not used: Danny Nesbitt, Dhilan Thandi