Romford 4 Tilbury 1
Bostik North
Report by Anthony Mercer
TILBURY could not make it two consecutive Bostik North wins as they fell to a 4-1 defeat at Romford.
The Dockers went into the clash after advancing to the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round last time out and coming from behind to beat Canvey Island in their last Bostik North encounter, but Luke Hornsley’s goal just before the break was not enough for Tilbury, as a Jonathan Nzengo brace, along with goals from Ben Clarke and Chris Taylor, resulted in Gary Henty’s side leaving Ship Lane with nothing to show for their efforts.
The Dockers got off to a bright start and Romford found it difficult to get out of their own half inside the opening ten minutes.
Bryan Kyungu and Ryan Melaugh both had shots from just outside the penalty area charged down as Henty’s charges went on search of an early opener.
However, the home side managed to deal with Tilbury’s early threat going forward and Romford’s frontline began to fashion some opportunities for themselves.
Nzengo attacked the Tilbury backline at pace and although he managed to get past Kyan Gulliver, his shot went just wide of the far post.
But on the 15 minute mark, Nzengo broke the deadlock against the run of play. The attacker found a yard of space inside the Tilbury penalty area and sent a low strike into the far corner of the net, giving the Dockers goalkeeper Clarke Bogard no chance.
But the visitors quickly went in search of an equaliser and Adam Vyse forced a good save out of Romford goalkeeper Steven Reynolds, with his long-range effort destined for the bottom corner.
Nzengo came close to doubling Romford’s lead just before the half hour mark as the pacey striker latched onto a Ryan Burt-Allen free kick. But Bogard was quick off his lone and saved at the feet of Nzengo.
After Tilbury’s Joe Turpin broke forward from defence and had a shot charged down, the ball fell to Vyse. But the striker’s attempt was sent high and wide of the target.
However the Dockers’ fully deserved equaliser did finally come, just a minute before half-time.
Melaugh sent a low drive goalwards, but Reynolds could only push the effort towards Hornsley and the striker converted the rebound.
Romford got off to a good start following the interval and Hugo Atkinson sent his strike inches wide of the far post after a marauding run from full-back.
But following Atkinson’s effort, Tilbury continued where they left off and continued to dominate the proceedings.
Just over five minutes after the break, Vyse forced a good save out of Reynolds before half-time substitute Kurt Smith saw his rebound blocked.
Moments later, Vyse pounced on a loose Romford throw-in and the striker, who signed from Great Wakering Rovers in the summer, sent his 25-yard shot just wide.
And once again, Tilbury were made to pay for their missed opportunities as Romford broke and went ahead 10 minutes after half-time. Clarke was played through on goal by Jamie Dicks and the striker rounded Bogard before tapping into an empty net.
Almost immediately after falling behind for a second time, the Dockers came within a whisker of getting back on level terms but were denied by the post from a Melaugh effort.
Jonathan Adebayo came close to doubling Romford’s lead as he took the ball off Nzengo before a few stepovers caught out two Tilbury defenders. But the attacking midfielder saw both his initial effort and the rebound blocked.
However Romford were to grab their third goal with 70 minutes on the clock as Nzengo poked home from close range to notch his second of the afternoon.
And Romford added a fourth inside the final 10 minutes as good play from Adebayo put Dicks in down the right hand side. His effort from an acute angle was pushed out by Bogard, but his parry hit Taylor and found the back of the net to consign Tilbury to a heavy defeat.
Romford: Stephen Reynolds, Ryan Burt-Allen, Hugo Atkinson, Danny Cossington, Tom Vickers, Jamie Dicks, Jonathon Adebayo, Manny Brown (Olakunle Giwa 69′), Chris Taylor, Ben Clarke (Asher Modeste 80′), Jonathon Nzengo (Craig Jeakins 81′).
Scorers – Jonathon Nzengo (15′, 70′), Ben Clarke (55′), Chris Taylor (84′)
Tilbury: Clarke Bogard, Abdus Salami, Kyan Gulliver (Kurt Smith 46′), Lewis Jaggs (George Pullen 72′) , Joe Turpin, Bryan Kyungu, Emiel Aiken, Jack Carlile, Adam Vyse, Luke Hornsley (Tony Martin 79′), Ryan Melaugh.
Scorers – Luke Hornsley (44′)
