FC Clacton 1, Romford 3 – Essex Senior League – Saturday 16th December 2023

Words and pictures by Bob Knightley

After two weeks since their last competitive game, Romford returned to League action with a convincing 3-1 win at FC Clacton. Boro were without the unavailable Darren Phillips, who has put in some impressive performances at the heart of the defence recently. With Mike Turner serving the final game of his suspension, Junior Luke switched to centre back and Amaree Robinson-Jones came into the starting lineup at left wing back.

Robinson-Jones was a danger from the start with his incisive runs as Boro dominated the opening exchanges. Hassan Nalbant was to be closely marked by Clacton’s Steven Downes throughout the game, while Ash Siddik and Lee Hursit both posed threats to the home defence.

It was to take half an hour for Romford to make the breakthrough that their possession deserved when Finaly Dorrell fired home from close range at the second attempt, his initial shot being blocked by ‘keeper Michael Bett.

Almost immediately, Clacton were level as Mahmoud Igwebuike cashed in on a rare defensive error and found himself one-on-one with Jake Anderson, making no mistake as he slotted the ball past the advancing ‘keeper, somewhat against the run of play.

The second half began with the home side having their best spell of the game but a reckless challenge by Charlie Collis on Kris Newby after 58 minutes led to a deserved straight red card for Collis. Romford were to take full advantage of the extra man but not before they survived a scare when a rare Clacton attack saw a shot go wide of Anderson’s far post when it would have been easier for Clacton to score than miss.

Charlie Morris replaced Ash Siddik following Collis’s dismissal and he posed the Clacton defence more problems as Boro piled on the pressure for the remainder of the game. On 62 minutes, Hassan Nalbant headed on a cross from the right and Amaree Robison-Jones capped a fine display by heading home from close range (pictured below).

With five minutes of normal time remaining, Malaki Toussaint sealed the three points for Boro with a low drive past Bett for his first goal since his return. Danny Hurford made his first appearance since returning to the club as a late substitute for Jamie Hursit with ten minutes remaining, while Jake Wiggins replaced Finlay Dorrell for the five minutes of added time. Boro thus completed the double over their hosts and might have exceeded the margin of victory from the home game when Clacton were beaten 4-1 earlier in the season had Finlay Dorrell and Charlie Morris not had goals disallowed for offside.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Jamie Hursit (Danny Hurford, 80m), Amaree Robinson-Jones, Kris Newby, Scott Doe, Junior Luke, Lee Hursit, Malaki Toussaint, Hassan Nalbant, Ash Siddik (Charlie Morris, 58m), Finlay Dorrell (Jacob Wiggins, 85m). Unused subs: Joseph Sulola, Flynn Hamilton.