With two wins in the last three outings, Romford came into this tie in a rich vein of form and were narrow favourites.
However, it was the away side who began the brighter of the two and in the second minute, came closest to opening the scoring, as Dereham’s Vadim Costandanchi sent a low ball across the face of goal, which was narrowly missed by Dereham’s striker David Hinton.
A few minutes later and it was Romford’s turn to threaten, as top goal-scorer Chinedu McKenzie brought a superb save out of Dereham stopper Will Viner.
Paul Martin’s men were now on the front foot and if not for a goal-line clearance by Dereham’s Michael Sommerfield, Boro’s James Age would have opened the scoring.
Despite Romford’s onslaught, the Magpies were still a threat and almost took the lead themselves in the 25th minute through Rhys Logan, after his near post effort was parried just wide by Romford goalkeeper Callum Chafer.
Firing
The deadlock was finally broken in the early stages of the second half when Romford’s Dicks broke down the right flank and exchanged a neat one-two with Ayo Olukoga, to race through on goal before firing past the on-rushing Viner.
Six minutes later and perhaps against the run of play Dereham equalised after a great run and finish by Dereham’s Hinton.
With just over an hour gone, Romford regained the lead when Ryan Mallett’s chipped through ball found Reynolds who raced clear of Dereham’s defence before slotting home.
Romford almost made it 3 – 1 a few minutes later but was denied by another goal-line clearance, after Dicks’s cross from a corner was met powerfully by Mallett.
Though Romford had the majority of chances, Dereham was still in the game and came close to equalising once more, when Hinton’s long range effort came cannoning back off the crossbar.
Viner then made another smart save to keep his side in the game after McKenzie beat two defenders and spun another before firing a low shot towards goal.
Dereham continued to search for an equaliser and in the 93rd minute they made one their rare counter attacks count, as winger Logan broke down the wing before picking out striker Harley Black who guided his header past Chafer.
FT: 2 – 2
Referee: Mr D.Hutton
TEAMS
Romford FC:
Callum Chafer, Ryan Boswell, Jamie Dicks (Goal), Matt Toms, Jonathan Adebayo, Ryan Mallett, Ayo Olukoga, James Age, Chindu McKenzie, Nick Reynolds (Goal), Will Green.
Dereham Town FC:
W.Viner, V.Costanddachi, J.Ramm, R.Linford, D.Frary, M.Sommerfield, R.Logan, D.Morphew, J.Gatting, D.Hinton(Goal), D.Beaumont (H.Black – Goal).
