Jordan Parsons reports on a local Essex derby at a blustery Ship Lane…
Romford were denied all three points after a second half strike from Thurrock’s Ross Wall levelled the match 1-1, in a game that was dominated by the weather conditions.
‘The Boro’ were looking to halt Thurrock’s promotion push, as they took the lead in the first half through a bizarre own goal by Kamarl Duncan.
The hosts were in sight of boosting their own survival chances but the points were stripped from them in the final third of the game as Wall converted for ‘The Fleet’.
Romford manager Paul Martin made several changes to the starting line-up, after Saturday’s win over Waltham Abbey.
The home side had an early opportunity to take the advantage through a Luke Stanley’s free kick seven minutes in, as he drilled a fantastic effort towards goal but he sent it over the bar.
Romford kept the sustained pressure on Thurrock who were unable to get out of their own half for the opening 20 minutes.
The Thurrock defender Duncan then put the ball into the back of his own net, after an attempted clearance – in one of the cruellest goals in football. Duncan’s clearance was undone by a strong gust of wind, which blew the ball towards his own net from 25 yards out and caught out the helpless Rhys Madden as the ball looped over him – to give Romford a fortunate lead. (Click here to Watch the video of the goal via BBC Sport)
Tight call
The landlords were tested from range, as Romford continued to use the strong wind to their advantage.
Romford won a free kick on the edge of the box 21 minutes in, which George Woodward whipped it into the box only for it to be scrambled away before Chinedu Mckenzie coolly slotted the ball into the net. To Thurrock’s relief, the linesman raised his flag for offside leaving Romford frustrated with the tight call.
Romford had the wind in their sails as they searched for a second 35 minutes in, as Kwasi Marfo had a speculative effort from 30 yards, which forced a strong save from Madden.
Thurrock finally managed to put some pressure on the Romford goal, four minutes before the break when they could have equalised through Charlie Stimson. The Thurrock forward managed to break clear of the sluggish Romford defence but his tame effort was comfortable for Michael Gooch.
Just before the break, Romford nearly doubled their lead, as Nick Reynolds broke through but just as he was about to shoot a last-ditch tackle from Remi Sutton denied him a clear chance on goal.
Romford continued where they left off six minutes into the second half, as Mckenzie with only the keeper to beat narrowly sent the ball the wrong side of the post.
The conditions hindered any free flowing football, until with 15 minutes remaining as Thurrock grabbed their all-important equaliser. ‘The Fleet’ took a quick free-kick which caught the Romford defence napping, as David Cowley slotted in Wall to tuck it away from close range.
Romford would have been pleased with a point before the match but will be unhappy with the goal they conceded, as they remain 16th – nine points off the drop.
‘The Boro’ will now turn to Saturday’s match, as they travel to 19th placed Witham Town at the weekend with a great opportunity to take all three points.
Thurrock Lineup: 1. Rhys Madden, 2. Reece Morgan, 3. Remi Sutton, 4. Michael Toner, 5. Kamarl Duncan, 6. Joe Christou, 7. Lewwis Spence (C), 8. Jordan Clark (70), 9. David Cowley, 10. Ross Wall, 11. Charlie Stimson
Substitutes: 12. Danny Francis, 13. Connor Wheatley, 14. James Goode (70), 15. Keke Orth, 16. Ross Gleed
Romford Lineup: 1. Michael Gooch, 2. Harry Culham, 3. George Woodward, 4. Matthew Frew, 5. Mosho Olafuwmisle, 6. Luke Stanley, 7. Akwasi Marfo (82), 8. Danny Cossington (86), 9. Chris Barry, 10. Nick Reynolds (78), 11. Chinedu Mckenzie
Substitutes: 12. Chris Taylor (82), 13. Tom Potter (78), 14. Liam Burgess (86)