Romford (0) 0, Great Wakering Rovers (0) 1 – Essex Senior League – Saturday 2nd November 2024

Great Wakering Rovers became the first side to stop Romford scoring at home this season and went home with all three points thanks to Harry Brown’s 50th minute goal. On another day however, Brown might have been enjoying an early shower rather than the plaudits from his team mates having twice pulled back Praise Ogbebor in the first half, offences for which a referee stricter than Conner Cornell might have issued cautions on either, or indeed both occasions.

In a tight game that was light on chances, the visitors shaded proceedings largely due to a resolute defence and a tenacious midfield. They almost got off to a dream start when after only two minutes Harrison Topliss found Bradley Bennett on the right and his cross was headed against the bar by Harry Brown. Only an offside flag deprived Rovers of a golden opportunity a minute later as Romford struggled to contain the away team’s early attacking play.

Boro gradually adapted however, and it required a save by Rovers keeper George Martin to deny Kennedy Feyi, who had received a quick free-kick from Jake Gordon and turned away from a defender in the penalty area after twelve minutes.

Praise Ogbebor was halted in full flight by Brown pulling him back after 17 minutes and the same players were involved six minutes later when Ogbebor, having won the ball in the left-back position, was again tugged back by Brown, who could consider himself lucky indeed to only be spoken to for these offences.

Harry Girling had to come promptly off his line to block from Callum Boylan after the Rovers forward had been put through by Dominic Locke after 25 minutes, but after 29 minutes Romford created a decent chance when good interplay between Joe Paxman and Chris Millar created a shooting opportunity for Millar but unfortunately, he skied his shot over the bar.

Amaree Robinson-Jones had chances after 35 and 38 minutes, forcing a good save from Martin at his near post with Bennett having to head the loose ball away, and then hitting the outside of an upright.

Praise Ogbebor picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon for delaying the restart of play after Boro had conceded a foul throw in the first minute of the second half, a frustrating decision considering that other, more egregious examples of the offence went unpunished later in the game.

The game’s only goal arrived after 50 minutes when Harry Brown stabbed the ball home from close range as Boro were unable to clear a low cross from the right.

There were only a few noteworthy chances thereafter: Chris Millar’s shot was diverted perilously close to his own goal, but ultimately wide of a post by Ben Search, and then Kennedy Feyi headed wide from Joe Paxman’s free-kick. Ogbebor, running on to a through ball, appeared to be pulled back once again, but nothing was given, and Brendan Ocran went narrowly wide when he chipped the ball back over Martin, who had come outside his area to head clear.

Rovers might have got a second had the Romford defence, now lacking Scott Doe who has departed for Rayners Lane, not held firm, but their single goal was enough for all three points at the end of what was an absorbing, if not thrilling, encounter between last season’s FA Vase finalists.

Romford: Harry Girling, Amaree Robinson-Jones (Toheeb Elegushi 76'), Praise Ogbebor, Chris Millar, Kojo Feyi, Eli Benoit, Jake Gordon (Andy Morris 55'), Jaiden Babalola, Kennedy Feyi, Arnold Mengi (David Owiredu 77'), Joe Paxman (Brendan Ocran 66'). Unused sub: Lucas Polyblank