Boro Progress In The Vase

17th August 202616th August 2026 The Havering Daily 0 Comments Akpele, Alfie Osbourne, Aron Gordon, Aron Gordon's, Baldock Town, BBC Essex Senior Cup, Ben, Bob Knightley, Boro, Boro's, Brown, Burnham Ramblers, Emmanuel Sergio's, Essex Senior League, Evans, FA Cup, FA Vase, Fabio Vieira, First Round, Gordon, Greig Stewart, Harwich & Parkeston, Ilford, Ilford's Ayodele, Isaac Libotte, Jaxon Brown's, Jonathan Evans, Libotte, Libotte's, Mario Protic, Matt Price, Mayesbrook Park, Mike Woods Romford, Olusesan Ayodele, Osborne, Preliminary Round, Romford, Romford's, Shaike Kamara's, Vase min read

By Mike Woods

Romford 2, Ilford 1

Romford beat old rivals Ilford in the FA Vase on Friday night, gaining revenge for last season’s defeat to them in the same competition and earning a trip to Burnham Ramblers in the next round.

Jaxon Brown had already had a shot saved by Ilford keeper Isaac Libotte before the Boro forward netted the first goal of the game after 24 minutes, getting between two defenders to head home Aron Gordon’s cross at the far post.

*Jonathon Evans (10) celebrates scoring Romford’s second goal* *(All photos credited to Bob Knightley)*

Boro doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Jonathan Evans curled a superb free-kick over the Ilford wall and into the top corner from 20 yards.

The goals came in a half in which Romford had largely been on top and had created other chances to score. Fabio Vieira’s shot passed narrowly wide and into the side netting, while Alfie Osbourne shot wide and Greig Stewart had a shot turned away by Libotte after good work by Brown and Vieira.

*Jaxon Brown celebrates his goal with Aron Gordon (7), who provided the cross*

There was much more attacking threat from Ilford in the second half and in the first minute of the second period Shaike Kamara’s low cross from the right missed everyone and went behind, while just 60 seconds later Olusesan Ayodele created an opportunity that Romford defended well.

Ilford halved Boro’s advantage with a penalty after 71 minutes, Akpele converting the spot kick awarded when a shot struck a Boro player’s hand.

Aron Gordon went close to a third goal for Romford when he intercepted Libotte’s poor clearance, but his shot from outside the box drifted wide while at the other end Ilford’s Ayodele put a good opportunity wide of the post.

*Alfie Osborne is brought down on the edge of the penalty area for the free kick from which Romford scored their second goal*

Boro might have wrapped the game up in the third minute of stoppage time when Matt Price put Ben McCrow, through on goal but Libotte’s outstretched foot diverted the McCrow’s shot behind for a corner.

Earlier in the week Romford had played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their first home Essex Senior League game against Woodford Town. Boro went ahead after 23 minutes when Fabio Vieira ran onto Jaxon Brown’s astute through pass and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. Woodford equalised after 48 minutes when Mario Protic met Emmanuel Sergio’s cross with a somewhat under hit shot that nevertheless found the corner of the net.

Next up for Romford are two more cup ties, both at home. On Tuesday 18^th August Harwich & Parkeston come to Mayesbrook Park for a First Round tie in the BBC Essex Senior Cup, and then this coming Saturday Boro are back in FA Cup action as they entertain Baldock Town in a Preliminary Round game.

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