Stanway Rovers (0) 1, Romford (0) 1 - Essex Senior League - Saturday 8th March 2025

A late, late Stanway goal meant that Boro had to settle for a draw, but an heroic performance from a much changed line-up really deserved the reward of maximum points.

Title favourites and, until Woodford Town's win over Benfleet the night before this game, league leaders Stanway Rovers were more than matched by a resolute Boro side whose depleted squad showed the sort of resolve and application that had been missing in recent outings.

As games go, the first half was poor fair as little in the way of chances were created by either side.

Of the chances created, the best were a long Stanway throw that was partially cleared after eight minutes with the resulting loose ball volleyed over the Romford crossbar, and at the other end, a Toheeb Elegushi shot that was blocked after fourteen minutes.

Qamil Dervishaj saved well from a header ensuing from a left wing free-kick after 26 minutes and after 36 minutes, Stanway's Nathaniel Mardell's cross was cleared only as far as Stanway's leading scorer George Okoye, but he volleyed wide. That apart, the first half was a largely subdued affair, which given Boro's recent displays, was quite welcome.

The second period opened with Stanway going close through Ricky Tabard, whose shot was marginally off target, but Boro also went close, when after 52 minutes David Oweridu forced home keeper Callum Robinson into a save, and from the ensuing corner, Boro's debut making defender Ivan Imasuen headed wide.

Stanway's much travelled striker Ross Wall met a long cross from the left that Dervishaj comfortably saved after 63 minutes before the game exploded in the 74th minute.

A touchline contretemps in the 74th minute resulted in three red cards being shown as referee Patrick Yates - who up until this point had been having a reasonable match - over reacted to a minor incident. Boro manager Kris Newby, yellow carded some minutes before, was sent off, as was Stanway boss Jamie Shaw, and so was Romford defender Ivan Imasuen.

Romford's already difficult task now appeared insuperable, but against all the odds, ten man Boro went ahead after 79 minutes. Toheeb Elegushi won the ball on the left and fed Jake Gordon, whose low shot from the edge of the penalty area found the bottom corner of the net. Cue delirium among the Boro contigent and consternation in the Stanway ranks.

The hosts pushed in search of an equaliser, but Qamil Dervishaj twice denied them with superb stops. For all that they are title favourites, the home side's response to going behind was somewhat muted with Boro defending in exemplary fashion.

Stanway equalised somewhat fortuitously in the fifth of nine added minutes when a Boro clearance lacked suffient distance and the ball was fed to Jamie Bennett, who netted from ten yards.

After disappointing results against Athletic Newham and Frenford, this was the fillip that Boro needed and despite recent player departures, the result will hopefully provide the stimulus for an upturn in fortunes as the season enters its final weeks.

Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Jake Gordon, Harry Elsey, Ellis Ashworth, Ivan Imasuen, Blaise Uwandji, Toheeb Elegushi, Sam Brogan, David Owiredu, Charlie Morris, Jayden Silcott-Brown. Unused subs: Kris Newby, Nathan Fuma, Arnold Mengi

Report by Mike Woods