Romford Beaten In Drab Affair

By Mike Woods

Romford 0, Buckhurst Hill 2

Considering its importance– for differing reasons – to both teams, this was a remarkably low key affair. Buckhurst Hill dominated possession and scored twice in the first half to take home the points while Romford failed to make inroads into the visitors’ defence and this defeat, along with other results in the division, makes Boro’s position in the Essex Senior League perilous indeed.

Neither side seemed able to get shots on target in the early stages, with Flynn Hamilton’s fifth minute effort flying over the bar for Romford before Brad Davison beat out a shot from Buckhurst Hill’s Harry Lusher after nine minutes. Christian Adu Gyamfi’s shot was deflected wide for a corner as Romford counter attacked and the same player hit the outside of a post with a right foot shot after 19 minutes.

Buckhurst Hill took the lead after 33 minutes when Boro keeper Brad Davison went for a high ball into the Boro penalty area but failed to make a clean catch and the ball ran invitingly for Nathan Sollosi, who rolled the ball into the unguarded net. The visitors had the ball in the net again soon after only to have their celebrations cut short by an offside flag, but they doubled their lead in the first minute of stoppage time as Arthur Massingham converted from close range after a low cross from the right had evaded everyone else.

The second half was even more insipid than the first. Romford’s best opportunity was a stooping header by Adu Gyamfi from Tayo Oyebola’s cross that went wide, while Buckhurst Hill went close to a third when Joe Damrell had to clear off the line after the ball had been headed over Davison.

The visitors also had a shot by Massingham that was deflected wide after 65 minutes and late in the game Davison did well to deny Sollosi, but thereafter the match petered out to a tame conclusion.

With other sides in the bottom six picking up valuable points – Athletic Newham won at Basildon United, Frenford surprisingly beat Great Wakering Rovers, and West Essex drew with Soul Tower Hamlets – Romford are running out of games to secure the points that will ensure safety and next Saturday visit Hullbridge Sports, whose recent revival has seen them rise to eleventh in the table.

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