Despite an impressive 3-2 win in their last outing, Boro fell to their fourth defeat within the month of January, as clinical Cheshunt took full advantage.
Heading into the tie Romford had several defensive issues, with centre-back James Ishmail and Ryan Mallet both unavailable. This forced Boro’s boss Paul Martin to play. Right-back Ryan Boswell and midfielder Danny Cossington were picked at centre back, while there was a debut at right-back for new signing Charlie Grimme-Yexley.
Despite the issues regarding availability it was Romford who began the game the brighter of the two sides, and nearly opened the scoring in the sixth minute through defender Danny Cossington. Akwasi Marfo hooked through ball found Cossington whose header almost crept past Cheshunt’s goalkeeper James May.
Turing Point
A few minutes later and it was Cheshunt’s turn to threaten. Tom Bruno got in behind the Boro’s defence after latching on to Luke Illsley clever through ball but wasted the opportunity as he dragged his effort wide.
Ten minutes later and perhaps against the run of play Cheshunt broke the deadlock through midfielder Tom Bruno. A wasted free-kick by Romford saw the visitors break away on a quick counter and when the ball eventually broke to Bruno, he cut inside and curled an excellent shot past the returning Callum Chafer.
Wasted opportunity
With 15 minutes remaining before half time, Romford almost drew level through midfielder Greg Akpele. Jamie Dicks found Marfo out wide, whose drilled pass found Akpele on the edge of Cheshunt’s box. His effort, however, was directed straight at May who saved comfortably.
This proved costly as Cheshunt doubled their lead two minutes later through Daniel Cheema’s long range effort, which took a huge deflection sending the hapless Chafer in opposite direction.
Unmarked
The second half began as it finished with Cheshunt in control, and in the 50th minute, Paul Wickenden’s men sealed all three points, through George Lataaya. A lose clearance was collected on the left being by Cheema, who picked out Lataaya unmarked at the back post who headed the ball past Chafer to make it 3-0 to the away side.
Romford continued to search for a goal and came close to scoring, through substitute Ayo Olukoga and top goal scorer Chinedu McKenzie, however, some last ditch tackles and blocks saw the Hertfordshire side leave Ship Lane with not only three points but a clean sheet.
Venue: Ship Lane
Romford: Callum Chafer, Charlie Grimme-Yexley, Jamie Dicks, Ryan Boswell, Danny Cossington (Nick Reynolds 75), Chris Barry (Ayo Olukoga 52), Jonathan Adebayo, Greg Akpele, Chinedu McKenzie, Kai Bichard, Akwasi Marfo (Jack Sykes-Browne 66).