Harry Brown scored his 12th goal of the season as Great Wakering Rovers beat promotion chasing Romford 1-0.

Great Wakering Rovers became the first side to stop Romford scoring at home this season and went home with all three points thanks to Harry Brown’s second half strike. This was perhaps the best away performance of the season as every player stuck to their jobs and dug deep to secure a vital win.

This was the first time Rovers faced Romford since their memorable day in the Isuzu FA Vase final at Wembley when Romford comfortably beat them by three goals to nil. However, Romford were a much changed side with only Toheeb Elegushi the only surviving player from the day who was on the bench and their skipper Kris Newby was now manager.

Rovers made five changes from their win in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy from Tuesday evening. Alfie Whiteaker, Danny Cossington, Dominic Locke and Callum Boylan returned into the line up after being rested for this league fixture. Harrison Topliss and Harry Brown had both recovered from their injuries in time for the game.

KICKOFF

Rovers controlled large amounts of the first half due to a strong defence and a sturdy midfield. They almost got off to a dream start when after only two minutes Harrison Topliss found Bradley Bennett on the right and his cross was headed against the bar by Harry Brown. Only an offside flag halted Rovers of a golden opportunity a minute later as Romford struggled to contain the away team’s early attacking play.

Romford started to slowly get back into the game gradually adapted however, and it required a save by Rovers keeper George Martin to deny Kennedy Feyi at his near post. Feyi who had received a quick free-kick from Jake Gordon and turned away from Alfie Whiteaker in the penalty area after twelve minutes and his stinging shot at the near post was well saved by George Martin at close range to keep the score line level.

After seventeen minutes, Harry Brown went into the referee’s book as he halted Praise by pulling him back and the same players were involved five minutes later when Ogbebor, having won the ball on the left wing and was again pulled back by Brown. Thankfully he only received a talking too by the referee.

Romford goalkeeper Harry Girling had to come promptly off his line to block from Callum Boylan after the Rovers forward had been put through by Dominic Locke after 25 minutes, but after half an hour Romford created a decent chance when good play between Joe Paxman and Chris Millar created a shooting opportunity for Millar. However, his shot was way over the bar.

Amaree Robinson-Jones had chances after 35 and 38 minutes, forcing a good save from Martin at his near post with Bennett having to head the loose ball away, and then hitting the outside of an upright.

HALFTIME: Romford 0-0 Rovers

Rovers came out flying in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts in just under five minutes into the second half.

Bradleigh Rowland’s persistence put Praise Ogbebor under pressure and won the possession on the edge of the box. He laid the ball out wide right to Ben Search and he delivered a dipping low cross into the area which Callum Boylan just missed but Harry Brown was there on que to take one touch to control the ball and then tapped in to get the rovers ahead and scored his twelve goal of the season.

Rovers could have added a second minutes later. Chris Millar’s shot was diverted perilously close to his own goal, but ultimately wide of a post by Ben Search. However, Romford weren’t the team to easily go down without a fight. Kennedy Feyi headed wide from a Joe Paxman’s free-kick. Brendan Ocran went narrowly wide when he chipped the ball back over Martin, who had come outside his area to head clear. Thankfully, rovers held on to secure a vital win away.

FULLTIME: Romford 0-1 Rovers

Great Wakering Rovers became the first side to stop Romford scoring at home this season, they haven’t conceded in two games and are now unbeaten in three league games.

Rovers now have a big week to prepare as they take on Sawbridgeworth Town at Burroughs Park in the Essex Senior League on Tuesday night and then turn their focus to Saturday as they take welcome Eastern Counties League side Great Yarmouth Town to Burroughs Park in the second round of the Isuzu FA Vase.

(Photo credits to Bob Knightley)