ROMFORD RECOVERY ROARS ON
ROMFORD’S recent revival has continued with a 2-1 win at in-form Maldon& Tiptree.
The second half was much more open than a first played in midfield, with Romford opening the scoring after Tim Brown had come out of his area, heading into the path of forward Harry Daly to lob home.
Romford increased their lead after 64 minutes when a free-kick was whipped in for Chris Taylor to glance into the corner.
Maldon fought and earned a consolation when substitute Emmanuel Katundu got to the byline before crossing for Oluwole Akinsanya to score from close range. Meanwhile, Canvey
Island are within two points of third place thanks to their thumping 5-1 win over Ware.
John Dreyer’s first league game in charge of Ware started positively but disintegrated in the second half to underline the uphill challenge he faces.
Ware took an early lead when Murat Karagul headed home a corner from close range, but Canvey levelled on the stroke of half time when George Sykes swept home.
The first 15 minutes of the second half saw a four-goal blitz to settle the tie convincingly. Mitchell Gilbey’s run from deep and finish gave Canvey a lead and within minutes Ryan Melaugh smashed home a third with a penalty.
Steve Sheehan added number four with his head before Melaugh got his second from distance.
The goals may not have come their way but that didn’t stop Hertford accruing a vital draw with high-flying Dereham Town.
Such was the drab nature of the first half, more chances came in the first five minutes after the break, with Phil Lowen having his header saved.
But after that neither side really troubled the goalkeepers, though substitute Matt Thomson did drag a shot wide. That saw the Magpies lose ground on secondplaced Bowers & Pitsea, who had to do it the hard way after trailing Brentwood Town.
Matt Price tucked in a rebound following James Thomas’ slip for the hosts, while Lewis Manor fired home moments after hitting the crossbar.
Callum Leahy then tucked in his first goal since returning, leaving Manor to wrap up the 3-1 win in injury time.
Potters Bar Town also kept themselves in the play-off race, sitting in sixth after Sean Grace and Eoin Casey scored in each half against Barking.
But Haringey Borough are hot on their heels, though they had to survive a Bury Town fightback as Cemal Ramadan and Darren Mills both scored on the cusp of the break.
Lauren Luke and a Derek Asamoah penalty wrapped up the contest however.
At the other end of the table, Cheshunt remain six points adrift of safety in a game which saw them play eight debutants against Norwich United.
Nathan Stewart opened the scoring in the 20th minute, latching onto a long ball forward, while Cheshunt levelled after 56 minutes when Manny Osei shot home from a cross from the left.
The Planters were back in the lead 11 minutes later Liam Jackson netting from close range from Adam Hipperson’s driven cross from the right, then turning goalscorer after lifting the ball in.
Aveley also joined in on a vital day as three of the bottom five won, as Lewis Gard’s first for the club and Alex Teniola’s goal helped them to a 2-1 win at Mildenhall. Elsewhere, Grays Athletic moved into the top ten with a 3-1 win over AFC Sudbury, while Witham Town defeated Tilbury 2-0.