Romford completed their pre-season programme with a 3-1 win over Thurlow Nunn Division One South side Enfield Borough in a keenly contested match. Kris Newby took the opportunity to have a final look in a match situation at the players who may feature in his squad for the coming season and there were numerous changes from the side that faced Tilbury last Saturday.

The scheduled 7.15 kick-off time passed due to the late arrival of one of the match officials and the gloomy conditions would have raised doubts that the game would finish, but there were floodlights, so the eventual 7.30 start shouldn't have been a problem.

Boro survived an early scare when Wayne Baker raced to the edge of his penalty area to kick away a loose ball, only for an Enfield player to lob it back over his head. The retreating Baker was relieved to see the ball hit the top of the crossbar and fall to safety behind the goal.

Early exchanges were fairly even but Romford gradually grew into the contest with Alex Balisani and Prince Commodore always looking dangerous on the ball. Romford took the lead on 22 minutes when an Enfield defender, in his attempt to clear the ball, headed it into his own net.

Two minutes before the break, Romford's lead was doubled as Balisani cut in from the left, eluding several defenders and the Enfield 'keeper to lay a ball into the path of Commodore, who gratefully knocked it into the unguarded net.

There were several changes in personnel for the second half and the floodlights were turned on - well, most of them were! Two pylons at the end that Romford were attacking failed to illuminate, with one corner of the pitch becoming increasingly dark as the evening progressed.

Enfield could and perhaps should have reduced the arrears but for several shots that cleared not only Wayne Baker's crossbar but also the high perimeter fence. This game, in common with other pre-season matches, featured some perplexing refereeing decisions with this particular official giving at least one dropped ball when a free kick would have been more appropriate, one of those being contested by players from both sides!

On the hour, a shot by Aundre Spencer was deflected into the Enfield goal to put Romford 3-0 ahead and the apparently comfortable lead led to manager Kris Newby joining the action for the final 20 minutes. The home side reduced the arrears with 10 minutes remaining but Romford held on for a 3-1 win.

Newby now turns his attention to finalising his team selection ahead of Saturday's Essex Senior League opener against the strongly fancied Stanway Rovers. None of the players that he has given minutes in the pre-season games has looked to be out of their depth and many have impressed. The new boss faces a difficult task and some uenviable phone calls to the unlucky ones who don't make the cut!