Romford hit the heights, Bowers claim local bragging rights, whilst Hanwell stay in the 100% club

By Ian Townsend

A round up of the action from yesterday evening


Fans of Romford FC were given a torrid time last season, only surviving the dreaded drop on the very last day. But their form at the tail end of the campaign spoke of better days to come, and they are certainly experiencing those at the moment, sitting pretty at the top of the North Division.

Last night they brought Tilbury to the FutureFuel Stadium, and took the lead through Roddy Lemba in only the third minute. It was good that Lemba found the net early on, as he sadly had to be withdrawn injured only twelve minutes later, but the Boro were not downhearted and Lemba’s strike partner Max Bolton doubled their lead from the spot nine minutes into the second half. Siju Odelusi then made the home side sweat when halving the deficit with half an hour to go, but Romford held on to make it seven points from three league matches- and also to ensure that their only loss so far this season came on penalties in the Velocity Trophy.

Elsewhere in the North Division, highly fancied Bowers and Pitsea were entertaining highly fancied Canvey Island at Aveley- the match moved whilst the Len Salmon Stadium has its new pitch laid. This was, of course, a repeat of last season’s North Division Playoff Semi-Final, and Bowers perhaps earned a modicum of revenge for that defeat by taking the points last night, defeating Canvey 2-0. Both goals, one in each half, came from David Knight.

Finally, Hanwell Town retained their membership of the 100% club, but they made their fans sweat at Reynolds Field, scoring the only goal of the match in the very last minute. An Ibrahim Olutade finish- his third of the campaign- against Ashford Town means that Hanwell have now won each of their three league matches, and of course also progressed in the cup at the weekend. They sit in second place in the Bostik South Central Division, behind Bracknell Town on goal difference.

There is only one match involving our clubs tonight. Brentwood Town travel to Sporting Bengal in an FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay, the winners hosting Haringey Borough in the next round on Saturday 8th September.

Headline image: Romford fans at Bury Town earlier this season.

Where next?

Missing Glastonbury? Fill that void with ‘Ornchurch Fest! Urchins annual festival to take place in October
FA Cup draw announced The draw for the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup was made earlier this afternoon. Here are the details.

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