REMI ENDS BRAVE NORTH GREENFORD’S SEMI HOPES
ROMFORD continued to create history in the FA Vase as they progressed to the semi-finals, bringing an end to North Greenford United’s magical run with the narrowest of wins.
With both sides recording their best-ever streak in the competition, this game would propel one team into the last four – but destroy the other’s Wembley dream.
It was a tight affair with Remi Sutton getting the only goal of the game to send the east London side through and while United were chasing an equaliser, Tomasz Siemienszuk was sent off.
Romford chairman Steve Gardener said: “Being relegated a couple of years ago we got put back into the FA Vase and being a Step 5 club, there is a lot bigger chance of getting into a cup final compared to getting into the final of the FA Trophy.
“The leap is too much, you play teams that have just been relegated from the EFL, whereas this is a level playing field.
“Everyone is coming from a similar background and has similar resources and fanbases so it has been a real even contest.
“This is the year that we got the furthest in the Vase and people will always talk about how we got this close to Wembley.
“Football is full of highs and lows and at Romford Football Club we have had our fair share of difficult times, we have groundshared until this year, so maybe it is our time to have a bit of fun.”
It brought an end to the home side’s run but the occasion has brought more eyes to the club than in recent times.
North Greenford joint-manager and chairman Paul Mills said: “There has been local interest, with residents and neighbours. We are surrounded by houses on two sides and they have been asking what is happening and when the game is.
“The financial side is also not to be sniffed at, it is not on the level of the FA Cup or the FA Trophy but, for a club of our stature, this money that has come in has been an extra bit of revenue and it is money to pay the bills.”
The tie was settled by Sutton, who converted a well-taken corner, but it wasn’t without its moments of jeopardy for Romford, with North Greenford regularly pressing their case for a leveller.
Joe Mills struggled to control his shot and hit a wild strike over the top, with the blistery winds adding an extra element to an already nervy game.
And Mills would again go close, this time cannoning the crossbar just three minutes into the second period, but Romford and goalkeeper Jake Anderson remained firm.
Anderson made multiple saves throughout the tie but was also the one fouled by Siemienszuk, who would receive a red card.
With the disadvantage on the field, Romford were able to keep hold of their slim lead and move even closer to the Wembley arches.