Late Goals Not Enough

31st August 202631st August 2026 The Havering Daily 0 Comments Alfie Leach, Alfie Whiteaker, Aron Gordon, Benfleet, Billy Purdy, Blake's, Boro, Boro's, Delphin Moorat, Ekow, Enough Romford, FA Cup First Qualifying Round, Fabio Vieira, Florent Gislette, Gislette, Harleston Town, Johnson, Johnson's, Lamar Johnson, Leach, Matt Blake, Mike Woods Late, Norfolk, Romford, Romford's, Saturday's, Southend United, Sykes min read

Romford 2, Benfleet 3

By Mike Woods

Late goals from Matt Blake and Ekow Owusu-Boakye proved to be not enough to salvage a point for Boro after Benfleet had racked up a three goal lead by the hour mark.

Boro had plenty of possession throughout, but lacked penetration until close to the end while Benfleet proved more adept at taking the chances that came their way.

*Fabio Vieira has the ball in the Benfleet net but appeals for offside saw the goal ruled out* *(All photos credited to Bob Knightley)*

Benfleet had the game’s first clear opportunity with Lamar Johnson having to kick away a shot by Billy Purdy after three minutes. When the ensuing corner was cleared, a quick break involving Aron Gordon ended with Fabio Vieira putting the ball in the back of the net, only to be flagged offside.

Benfleet went ahead after 35 minutes when the ball was worked right to left, finding Alfie Whiteaker in space on the edge of the Boro penalty area and his well placed shot gave Johnson no chance.

*Patched up after picking up a head injury in Tuesday’s FA Cup game, Greig Stewart filled in at fullback for Romford*

The second half was only six minutes old when Benfleet doubled their lead. Tommy Sykes cut in from the right and curled a wind assisted shot over Johnson’s head. Romford’s cause was not helped when Alfie Leach was sent off after 55 minutes. Booked for a foul in the first half, Leach handled the ball on the halfway line and was shown a second yellow card to reduce Boro to 10 men for the second Saturday in a row.

Benfleet netted their third after 58 minutes after a midfield coming together had the majority of the players expecting play to be stopped, and when it wasn’t, Sykes took possession, ran through and scored.

*Flynn Hamilton is beaten to a cross by the Benfleet ‘keeper*

Boro got one back after 71 minutes. An excellent pass by Owusu-Boakye to Delphin Moorat on the left allowed the Boro full-back to make strides into the Benfleet penalty area and his cut back was met by Matt Blake, Boro’s recent signing from Southend United, with a side-foot shot that beat Florent Gislette at his right-hand post.

A second Romford goal arrived in the 86th minute when Blake’s ball across the box from the left found Owusu-Boakye, who drilled a low shot past Gislette. Benfleet successfully held out for the time remaining to quash Boro’s hopes of salvaging a point and inflict their first defeat of the season.

With no game in midweek, Romford’s next match is this coming Saturday’s trip to Norfolk to play Harleston Town in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.

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