First Team - Romford Women 3 - 4 Frontiers

Another week, another thriller. Unfortunately, this time the Boro Belles were on the wrong end of a topsy turvy game as they succumbed to a dogged Frontiers team, who stole the points with a last minute penalty at Noak Hill.

Such an ending seemed inconceivable at the break when Boro led 2-0 and were in the ascendancy. Claire Huggins had continued her fine early season goal scoring form as she slalomed past several Frontiers defenders before firing home from outside the box in the 18th minute. Thereafter, Boro set up camp in the opposition half but were repelled by a fine performance from the Frontiers keeper.

At the other end, Romford's own number one, Jamie Williams was called into action herself twice, to give an indication of threats to come. However, on the cusp of half time, Shamari Crawford doubled the lead after fine work from Georgia Maxwell-Jones down the left hand side and the home team seemed well in control.

However, Frontiers were impressive in their response and soon pulled a goal back after the break when a misplaced Boro pass led to a breakaway. Shortly after, a failure to clear from a corner created a penalty area melee that ended with a clear Romford handball. The penalty was duly dispatched and worse was to follow when yet another goalmouth scramble produced a third.

However, with six minutes remaining, Maxwell-Jones curled a magnificent equaliser high into the top left hand corner and Boro seemed set for a share of the spoils. Unfortunately, a last minute attack led to a second clear penalty and the visitors converted to take the points.

Manager Jason Murray was understandably frustrated, saying "We are all very disappointed and aware that we dropped some very important points today. Unfortunately, there were too many poor decisions and unforced errors out there today. There's no need for a knee jerk reaction, but there was certainly a lesson in accountability for my players this afternoon. I certainly can't wait to get back on the training ground and knowing them as I do, neither can they"

Goals: Huggins, Crawford, Maxwell-Jones

Squad: Williams, Simpson, Lakes, Sharp(c), Saviciute, Eastwell, Mezquita, Huggins, Maxwell-Jones, Love-Doyle, Crawford: Page, Teeling, Fenton, Stuart, Kuski

Player of the Match: Jamie Williams

U16 - Romford Youth 3 - 1 Baddow Spartak

Elsewhere, Romford U16's continued their bright start to the season with a fine victory over last season's runners up, Baddow Spartak.

Boro settled quickly and were soon dominating possession without necessarily fashioning too many chances. However, after half an hour, a Boro corner wasn't cleared and Deniz Yorulmaz reacted quickest to latch on to the loose ball and drive home, to open her account for the season.

Darcie Colkett went close with a long range drive shortly after, but Boro still held just a slender 1-0 lead at the break. Baddow fought back after the interval but Romford's possession football meant that the visitors were reduced to speculative long range efforts.

Yorulmaz continued to pose a threat up front and was being ably supported by Tabitha Hellen and Isobel Pitney, and all three drew fine saves from the Baddow keeper. The breakthrough came eventually when the latter two combined and Pitney surged away and lashed home the deserved second.

Shortly after, those same two combined again with Pitney this time releasing Hellen, who calmly rounded the keeper to slot home the third. Baddow pulled one back with a fine free kick past the otherwise unruffled Maeve Pitney, but there was still time for Lottie Lambert, Lily Stuart-Evans and Chloe Bramley to test the keeper. Yorulmaz too, was also denied by yet another fine late save as Boro pressed right the way to the final whistle.

By this point the Boro midfield trio of Mia Murray, Charlotte Walsh and Erin Pitney were dictating terms and it was no surprise when Erin Pitney was chosen as Player of the Match for a near virtuoso holding midfielder performance. Manager James Kearns was delighted with the result, saying "This was a big test for us with Baddow having performed so strongly last season. We played well from back to front, took our chances exceptionally well and were brave on the ball. I thought Erin Pitney was magnificent in the middle and all round I think the whole squad can be thoroughly proud of that display"

Goals: Yorulmaz, I Pitney, Hellen

Squad: M Pitney, Colkett, Winser, Sambani, Kearns (c), Murray, E Pitney, Walsh, I Pitney, Hellen, Bramley: Lambert, Stuart-Evans, Yorulmaz

Player of the Match: E Pitney

U13 - Romford Youth 3 - 0 Stanway Rovers

Our U13's welcomed Stanway Rovers Blaze who were promoted after winning the North Division last season. This was Boro's first home league game at King George's Playing fields and the girls were keen to continue their good form there.

The game started evenly but as the half wore on Romford became more dominant and began to string their play together with several good combinations between Lunan and player of the match, Fox.

A decisive move midway through the first half resulted in an excellent first time finish from Kinnard. After several opportunities, a couple of disallowed efforts and a second goal from the lively Fox, Boro went in two nil up at half time.

The second half began differently, as Stanway were playing with the wind and began to get on top and deserved a lot of credit for their application.

Boro then managed to stem the flow and play in the Stanway half again, creating good opportunities before Lunan finally netted the decisive third.

Manager Darren Dennis said "It was a much better display, we showed the right levels of intensity that it will take in this league. Stanway Rovers never gave up and showed that they have a great team spirit. So I am pleased we matched that."

"I was also pleased to have a clean sheet. Our combinations were much better in the attacking third and we pressed all over the pitch to ensure we maintained attacks. I look forward to next week!"

Goals: Kinnard, Fox, Lunan

Squad: M Cupidon, Ty Samuel, Nolan (c), Osben, Dennis, Kinnard, Ta Samuel, Cave, Fox, Willis, Lunan, Miller, Turner

Player of the Match - Maisie Fox

Round-up compiled by Jim Kearns

Pictures by Bob Knightley