Romford (1) 1, Stanway Rovers (1) 2 – Errington Challenge Cup – Friday 18th October 2024

Stanway keeper Callum Robinson’s save from Chris Millar’s 88th minute penalty denied Romford the draw their second half performance probably deserved, but to find a meagre positive, at least spared us the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

The mere possibility of a draw looked remote as Stanway started the game at a cracking pace and could easily have been two or even three goals to the good before Toheeb Elegushi’s 39th minute equaliser.

Just as they had done in the league game on the opening day of the season, the visitors took an early lead. Then they scored after nine minutes; in this game it was after just six minutes. Scott Doe’s attempted clearance from a corner on the right took an unfortunate deflection and ran to Max Sherlock and he scored from close range.

Just two minutes later it took an outstanding reaction save by Qamil Dervishaj to deny Jamie Bennett, who met a low cross from the right with a crisp shot. After fourteen minutes Stanway’s Harrison Chatting went close with a shot that was deflected wide and shortly after that Dervishaj had to turn a free-kick from Tom Maycock over the bar.

It took Romford until the 27th minute before they created a worthwhile chance. Praise Ogbebor made a superb run on the left and his low cross found Jaiden Babalola whose shot was deflected wide for a corner. Babalola then forced Robinson into a low save after a strong run and with the ball running loose in the penalty area it required a hacked clearance to prevent a Boro player following up.

Boro had been coming more into the game as the half progressed and were rewarded with an equaliser after 39 minutes. A long free-kick from the left found Toheeb Elegushi in the Stanway penalty area and he made space for himself to place a low shot into the corner of the net.

Chances were fewer and further between after the break, but it was Romford who created the better of those that there were. Brendan Ocran drove forward but shot over the bar after 49 minutes, but the next chance worthy of note wasn’t until the 68th minute. Derek Feyi’s long forward pass found Praise Ogbebor in space, but he was denied a shot at goal by a fine tackle that won Boro a corner.

Stanway’s Maycock was booked for a one of a series of cynical fouls by the away team, this one on Isioma Richard as he powered forward, and the Rovers player was perhaps lucky not to receive a second caution for the haranguing he subsequently gave to referee Ericsson Temu.

Only a great low save by Robinson prevented Arnold Mengi from putting Boro ahead and from the ensuing corner, Feyi’s header was cleared from just in front of the Stanway goal, but with eight minutes remaining, Stanway scored what proved to be the winner. Romford conceded possession cheaply inside their own half and Stanway substitute Nathan Mardell strode forward and fired a shot into the top corner that gave Dervishaj no chance.

Arnold Mengi’s shot that was handled gave Boro the chance to level after 88 minutes, but Robinson guessed right, dived left, and diverted Millar’s spot kick wide of the post and deny Boro a place in the next round.

Romford Qamil Dervishaj, Isioma Richard, Eli Benoit, Hafeez Elegushi (Arnold Mengi 63'), Scott Doe, Sam Elwood (Derek Feyi 46'), Praise Ogbebor, Chris Millar, Brendan Ocran (Lucas Polyblank 63'), Jaiden Babalola (Connor Hogan 46'), Toheeb Elegushi (Jake Gordon 46')