Romford 0 v 3 Cheshunt
Ryman League North
Report by Gary Redwin
In an even game, only a greater prowess in front of goal gave Cheshunt victory as they continued their march towards the playoffs.
Romford who were still having availability issues at centre back due to James Ishmail’s injury and Ryan Mallett’s suspension, were forced to play Ryan Boswell alongside Danny Cossington, while handing a debut to right back Charlie Grimme-Yexley.
Cossington nearly put Romford in front in the sixth minute when Akwasi Marfo hooked a ball goalward and the Boro defender’s header was on target, but keeper James May was in a good position to save. Eleven minutes later and Tom Bruno got behind the defence but could only scuff his shot wide, before the visitors did take the lead against the run of play in the twenty-seventh minute. Romford had earned a free kick that was cleared and after a quick counter attack a right wing cross made its way to Bruno who cut inside and curled a sublime effort past Callum Chafer and into the net via the underside of the bar.
Just past the half hour Jamie Dicks spread play from the left back position to Akwasi Marfo who had popped up on the right wing and his touch found Greg Akpele whose low effort was saved. This proved costly as two minutes later Cheshunt doubled their lead when Daniel Cheema’s long range effort took a huge deflection that left Chafer helpless to prevent the goal.
Marfo fired a shot just over the bar two minutes after the restart and at the other end the normally prolific Jason Hallett turned his man a few moments later but could not hit the target. Sadly the killer blow for the Boro came in the fiftieth minute. A ball forward should have been cleared to safety by the Romford back line, but it was picked up by Cheema on the left wing and his cross found George Lataaya unmarked who headed the ball home to make it three goals to nil.
Ayo Olukoga replaced Chris Barry in midfield and got straight into the action and in the sixty-second minute nearly pulled a goal back. Kai Bichard made space for himself down the left and crossed to the far post where Olukoga rose highest and sent his head back across goal but May pulled off a great save before recovering and flung himself in the opposite direction to deny Chinedu McKenzie whose powerful follow up was flying towards the top corner.
With ten minutes left Olukoga lead a counter attack for Romford and slipped in Bichard who took a touch past his man and his low left foot effort took a slight deflection and hit the outside of the post and went wide. Boro were now playing their best football of the match but the Cheshunt defence held firm and they are now looking a good bet for the play offs. Romford still have a cushion between themselves and the relegation zone.
Romford : Callum Chafer, Charlie Grimme-Yexley, Jamie Dicks, Ryan Boswell, Danny Cossington (Nick Reynolds 75), Chris Barry (Ayo Olukoga 52), Jonathan Adebayo, Greg Akpele, Chinedu McKenzie, Kai Bichard, Akwasi Marfo (Jack Sykes-Browne 66)
Cheshunt: James May, Joe Clemo, James Thomas, Joe Kizzi, Dave Kendall, Luke Illsley (Jack Lampe 60), Daniel Cheema, Tom Bruno (Tom Fletcher 83), Jason Hallett, Liam Hope (Luke Marshall 74), George Lataaya
Scorers – Tom Bruno (23′), Daniel Cheema (36′), George Lataaya (51′)
