AFC Sudbury vs Romford F.C.

AFC Sudbury 3 – 6 Romford F.C.

The Ryman League – North Division

Attendance – 255

Romford produced an outstanding performance away at AFC Sudbury this weekend. They bounced back from their 3-2 loss to Soham Town Rangers last week to win 6-3.

Romford piled on the pressure straight from kick off and were nearly on the scoresheet after 4 minutes. A free kick from Joe Oates found its way onto the head of Shields but he unfortunately saw his effort rebound back out off the bar.

Romford’s bad luck continued when Tom Richardson volleyed from the edge of the box but once again the ball came back off the cross bar. The majority of the play was being played in the sudbury half and the pressure paid off after Richardson darted into the box and drilled the ball across the goal to find Clayton waiting at the back post to tap in. The lead was quickly doubled as Ryan Imbert got his first of the game after poking in Jack Barry’s cross-shot.

Sudbury nearly got back into the game with their first chance. A Danny Green header was cleared off the line. Romford didn’t react on this and Sudbury soon had a goal back from the penalty spot. Joe Oates brought down Lee Boylan as the player knocked the ball past him. Oates was lucky not to be sent off as many argued he was the last man. The striker picked himself up and calmly slotted the ball past the Romford keeper. Romford fans must of thought it was de-ja-vu after Sudbury soon equalised. Boylan got his second of the game when he smashed the ball past Ngoy.

The second half started extremely well for Romford and they were back in the lead three minutes after half time. Reynolds had enough time in the area to chest the ball down from a Joe Oates corner and fired the ball past the Sudbury keeper. Romford hit the bar for the third time in the game when Clayton curled a shot past the keeper but it once came back off the woodwork.

Soon after Romford restored their two goal lead. A Richardson free kick was saved by Howe in goal but the rebound fell to Imbert and he used his quick thinking to back heel the ball into the net. On the 72^nd minute Richardson topped off his Man of the Match performance by getting his name on the score sheet. After a tricky run he cut inside and curled the ball past the Sudbury keeper into the far corner. Just as the Romford fans thought their lead was comfortable, the team became complacent and allowed Boylan to go through on goal and get his and Sudbury’s third goal of the game with 13 minutes to go. Romford didn’t allow themselves to panic and with 8 minutes to go they restored their 3 goal advantage when Howe and his centre back left the ball for each other and Imbert pounced on the mistake to strike the ball into the goal for his hatrick. Romford could have extended their lead but Howe produce a tremendous save from Reynolds.

The Romford coaching team will be extremely delighted with the performance of their team and how they have responded following their defeat on last Saturday. Romford now sit comfortably in 7^th place.