Barking (0) 3, Romford (1) 1 - Essex Senior League - Saturday 28th December 2024
Three breakaway Barking goals consigned Romford to defeat after Boro had led at the interval.
Arnold Mengi's 44th minute strike owed a lot to a quick break too, as he met Praise Ogbebor's low cross at the far post with a decisive finish, and after the interval, Boro had opportunities to increase their lead before being hit with three goals in eleven minutes.
The early stages were pretty even with Barking's Geneiro Maragh looking dangerous on the left and Isioma Richard having to work hard to nullify his incursions into Boro territory. Richard also had to look lively to clear a dangerous cross from the right and it wasn't until the 18th minute that Boro had a sight of goal, when Praise Ogbebor stung Barking keeper Dan Purdue's gloves with a shot as Kennedy Feyi looked for the ball to be cut back.
Kelvin Boampong was yellow carded for a challenge of the sort that the referee was otherwise generally minded to allow after 27 minutes and from the free-kick, a knock down found Sam Shaban in space, but he shot wide.
Ash Siddik fired a free-kick over the bar after 36 minutes after Amaree Robinson-Jones had been brought down 25 yards out, and Siddik was then denied by Purdue shortly after a good move put him through, but the Barking keeper spread himself to block.
Jaiden Babalola was perhaps fortunate to get away with a clumsy challenge on Shaban as the Barking forward bore down on goal after 40 minutes, and Boro capitalised on that good fortune a minute before the break. Good, quick passing in midfield put Ogbebor into space on the left and Mengi converted the cross.
Mengi found himself in space in the second minute of the second half but shot tamely at Purdue and then Ogbebor, put clear on the left, sent over a dangerous low cross that no one in a Boro shirt could get on the end of.
Barking carried on where they had left off in the first half with their continual appeals for free-kicks that failed to impress the referee, but they forced a good save from Qamil Dervishaj on the hour when he turned away a volley from Shaban, who then ought to have at least put his header on target when he met a right wing corner after 70 minutes.
The home side levelled after 78 minutes, winning possession in midfield and breaking quickly to give Ellis Lawson a shooting opportunity from just outside the box, with which he gave Dervishaj no chance.
A long clearance by Purdue put Shaban in with the chance of a shot at goal after 83 minutes but Dervishaj turned the shot away but it proved to be only a brief reprieve, however. With four minutes remaining, Shaban converting having found himself in space after Barking had turned over possession and played the ball forward quickly. Boro's misery was complete after 87 minutes as again the home side broke rapidly after winning the ball deep in their own half and when the ball was played in from the flank, Tony Martin found himself in acres of space and turned the ball in.
Lots to admire in Boro's play, but once again, not turning possession into goals cost them dear against a side that counter attacked decisively.
This defeat means that Boro end the year in seventh spot, five points off the Play-off places and with a tough start to 2025 in prospect as in form Takeley come to town on Friday night.
Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Isioma Richard, Kelvin Boampong, Ashaan Siddik (David Oweridu, 85m), Jaiden Babalola, Derek Feyi, Amaree Robinson-Jones (Nathan Fuma, 68m), Brendan Ocran (Hafeez Elegushi, 85m), Kennedy Feyi, Arnold Mengi (Blaise Uwandji, 62m) Unused sub: Harry Elsey