ROVERS LOSE TO PROMOTION CHASING ROMFORD

Rovers suffered their third straight league defeat at the hands of promotion chasing Romford.

Romford had more than enough chances to put this game to bed but Rovers created enough opportunities of their own and had they taken just one of them the points could easily have been shared. As it was, Sam Deering’s 24th minute goal was enough to secure for Romford.

The early exchanges were frantic with both sides rushing their passes and lacking composure. A good early interchange between Charlie Morris and Sam Deering ended with a pass that was too far ahead of Hassan Nalbant allowing Rovers keeper Daniel Blockley to mop up. Deering then put Finlay Dorrell through after 13 minutes, but the Boro forward was let down by his first touch and Blockley came out to claim the ball. Dorrell’s attempt to atone for his poor touch ended with him colliding with the Rovers keeper. Both players required treatment but while Blockley was able to continue, Dorrell had to leave the field to be replaced by Toheeb Elegushi.

Rovers first chance of the night fell to Charlie Kendall, but his 21st minute shot sailed harmlessly over Jake Anderson’s crossbar. Romford then scored what would prove to be the winning goal. Sam Deering ran onto Jacob Wiggins’ through ball and chipped the ball over the advancing Blockley into the bottom corner.

Boro then had four presentable chances that went begging. Morris had a shot on goal but Blockley saved comfortably and on the half hour Morris was put through by Nalbant but was foiled by Blockley’s block. Jamie Hursit’s cross was headed against the bar by Toheeb Elegushi and then Morris was denied again when having been found by Wiggins, his shot was deflected for a corner.

Rovers, who had had plenty of possession but few chances, went close to an equaliser after 40 minutes when a prodigious throw into the box was flicked on and Charlie Kendall’s header was tipped over the bar by Jake Anderson.

HALFTIME: ROMFORD 1-0 ROVERS

Hassan Nalbant had two efforts off target inside the first seven minutes of the second half but Rovers went close after 59 minutes when former Boro man Jake Gordon shot over the bar from 25 yards. Kris Newby conceded a free kick and picked up a yellow card for a foul just outside his own penalty area and when Jake Anderson had punched the resulting delivery clear, Anthony Martin put in a shot that narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Both sides were finding it difficult to keep their shots below crossbar height; Martin had an effort for Rovers that was too high after 64 minutes, and after 66 minutes Charlie Morris, having cut in from the right, put his shot a foot or two over the bar.

Romford continued to search for their second and in the 68th minute when Hassan Nalbant and Toheeb Elegushi combined to provide a shooting opportunity for Morris, but although on this occasion he kept his shot on target, Blockley turned the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner, Morris had another chance, and again this one was blocked.

Rovers new boy Craig Ferguson was yet another player to lift a shot over the crossbar, this after 74 minutes, and although Rovers continued to press for an equaliser, they could not find the back of the net.

FULLTIME : ROMFORD 1-0 ROVERS

Victory for Romford pushes them ever closer to a Play-Off place and puts something of a dent in the Rovers’ chances of achieving the same.