Romford (0) 0, Woodford Town (1) 3 – Saturday 29th March 2025 – Essex Senior League

This game was finely poised until two late goals by the visitors – who have a knack of scoring in the closing stages games – did for Boro who had matched second in the table Woodford Town for more than an hour.

Toheeb Elegushi and Jayden Silcott-Brown filled the full-back roles in a back four that featured Patrick Campbell alongside Harry Elsey following Ellis Ashworth’s dual registration signing for Basildon United, but this unfamiliar backline performed admirably to repel one of the league’s most prolific attacks.

Boro made a decent start to the game with new signing Jordan Burnett impressing on the right flank and the debut making former Harlow Town player made some decent forays on the flank and delivered a couple of decent crosses that Boro were unable to capitalise upon. In just the sixth minute Burnett was found by Harry Elsey’s pass and put over a tantalising cross that no one in a yellow shirt could reach.

Two minutes later and Boro had a glorious chance to go ahead. Woodford keeper Manny Agboola dallied on the ball outside his penalty area and was dispossessed by Sansom Adelaja, but presented with an open goal, Adelaja – under pressure – could only direct the ball just wide.

Harry Elsey cleared from the goal line after a low cross delivered by Woodford’s Marko Protic from the left wing had beaten Qamil Dervishaj. A minute later, with 16 minutes played, Woodford went ahead when another cross from the left – by David Gokou-Siakouri this time – was met at the far post by Sam Sollosi. Woodford were attacking consistently on the left, and another cross from that source – by Sam Owusu – fortunately passed harmlessly after 20 minutes.

Woodford’s Kahlil Kirwan-Meade went into the referee’s book after 26 minutes when he fouled Harry Markatis as he burst forward but Jake Gordon’s shot from the ensuing free-kick sailed over the bar. Gordon was more accurate with another shot a couple of minutes later after Boro pressure resulted in a corner that was half cleared to him, but his low effort was saved by Agboola.

Patrick Campbell was booked for a foul after 36 minutes and Woodford’s Sollosi was yellow carded for fouling Elsey a moment later. There was an almighty scare for Boro after 39 minutes when Woodford contrived to hit the bar following a low cross when it seemed easier to score and as Boro broke out of defence Woodford’s Owusu went into the book for a foul.

Sansom Adelaja contested a lofted cross by Jake Gordon with Woodford keeper Agboola in the last minute of the half, but could only divert the ball over the bar.

Woodford’s Sollosi sliced a shot wide in the first significant action of the second period and later saw a shot turned round the post by Dervishaj. There was plenty of endeavour from Romford, but their pressure and pressing was not rewarded and it was always going to be difficult against the league’s most miserly defence – Woodford have conceded just 12 goals in 16 away games.

A quick break after Boro pressure resulted in Dervishaj having to save well from Owusu after 75 minutes and Boro were indebted to Patrick Campbell in the 81st minute when he made a superb challenge to halt Ernet Okoh’s progress. Both players were injured in the challenge with Campbell eventually having to make way for Kris Newby.

Two minutes from the end of normal time Boro’s quest for an equaliser came to grief when possession was lost in midfield; Okoh was put through and he went round Dervishaj to tap home. The visitors repeated the trick six minutes into stoppage time with the last kick of the game as a Boro attack was repulsed and Woodford broke from inside their own penalty area, putting Micah Jackson clear and he fired a low shot home.

Romford: Qamil Dervishaj, Jayden Silcott-Brown, Toheeb Elegushi, Harry Markatis (Zinnel Royes 60'), Harry Elsey, Patrick Campbell (Kris Newby 89'), Jordan Burnett, Blaise Uwandji, Samson Adelaja, Sam Brogan (Darnell Ramsay 60'), Jake Gordon (Ross Elsom 71') Unused sub: Olakunmi Sosanya

Match report by Mike Woods