A goal of quite exceptional quality from Charlie Morris in the 62nd minute of what was otherwise a quite ordinary game earned Boro a place in the next round of the FA Vase, and a home tie against fellow Essex Senior League side West Essex.

Goalkeeper Jake Anderson, in for the injured Billy Lawlor, launched the ball forward with what was by no means a hopeful punt but was rather a measured 80 yard pass. Morris showed immaculate control to take the ball down on the edge of the Potton penalty area and bury a fierce volley past a motionless Foxall in the visitors’ goal. Had there been TV cameras there to record it, it would be being replayed ceaselessly.

Romford deserved their win, but this was by no means a fluent or flawless performance against a side that proved doughty but uninspiring opponents. Potton had a number of chances, but their finishing was unconvincing, as was Boro’s at times.

The visitors had the first chance of the game after five minutes when Jesse Armoo curled a shot narrowly over the bar, but Boro ought to have done better immediately afterwards when Emmanuel Robe screwed his shot well wide after Martin Touhy had headed the ball on. Touhy then released Jake Gordon, whose through ball found Alex Balisani, but his shot was deflected wide by Potton keeper Foxall (below).

Charlie Morris and Emmanuel Robe combined to create a chance that ended with the former having a shot saved, and then Kris Newby curled a shot into Foxall’s hands. But Boro weren’t having it all their own way and Anderson had to save well from Jim Burnside, and shortly afterwards, Potton claimed that the ball had crossed the line after a corner resulted in some desperate Boro defending. The last chance of the half fell to Potton when Ibrahim Camera volleyed a cross from Callum Wilson over the bar.

The second half opened with Morris denied by Foxall after being well found by George Cox, and ten minutes in, Boro made three changes with Jesse Olukolu, Jacob Wiggins and Tyrese Sibanda replacing Jake Gordon, Alex Balisani, and Martin Touhy; Olukolu and a Potton player immediately found themselves in the referee’s book after an altercation.

After Charlie Morris’s goal, Potton continued to threaten with Anderson again saving well from Burnside, and they then hit the crossbar with a free-kick – one of more than a few that Boro conceded in their own half, some more legitimate than others, it seemed.

Emmanuel Robe was twice denied by Foxall in the Potton goal, once when put through by Sibanda’s pass only to have his control let him down, allowing the keeper to block, and later deciding to shoot, when pulling the ball back might have been a better option.

Despite the narrow margin of victory, Romford rarely looked anything but comfortable, and with changes to the goalkeeper and defence - Boro started with three at the back before reverting to a flat back four after the break – a first clean sheet of the season was an added bonus.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Tambeson Eyong, John Mbamarah, Kris Newby, Bleron Ademi, George Cox, Jake Gordon (Jesse Olukolu, 55m), Alex Balisani (Jacob Wiggins, 55m), Emmanuel Robe, Martin Touhy (Tyrese Sibanda, 55m), Charlie Morris. Unused subs: Josh Wiggins, Danny Hurford

Main picture: Emmanuel Robe is denied by Potton United keeper Craig Foxall. This, and other pictures, by Alan Blackholly