Although it was a slow start for Romford they where lucky they arrived at the correct ground to begin the game but as they settled down it wasn't too long before they began creating problems for Barking Borough Reserves. Keeping the ball down and making short, quick passes Flyers forced Barking to make mistakes and commit many fouls, with barely 15mins played M Chapmans wide free kick held up nice in the wind for Rob Ashdown at the far post who directed his header over the keeper to drop just over the line. Barking tried to play the ball around but were finding it hard to beat Flyers through the middle and did there best to pick out some nice through balls but the Romford defense was well disiplined and found the attackers off side, they certainly wasn't taking any chances with the unpredictability of the ball due to the strong wind. Romford kept Barking pinned in their own half for spells and when Lee Hattam found his self in a great position he met the cross with his chest and forced it home to make it 2-0. Romford always contribute to there own down fall and the shakey period would soon come as after taking the lead to two they never seemed comfortable and shortly Barking grabbed a goal back. Untill now Flyers defense had played really well and Barking had limited chances if any but when Romford failed to clear the ball outside the area moments before half time it soon became 2-2.
After the break Flyers came out looking like they had more fight and got the ball under control when in possession and began playing some great football, everyone seemed to want the ball and if they didnt have it, it was constantly moving for one another. Barking Borough Reserves were being battled out the game and there only threat seemed to come from the through ball but when they tried it once to often it was read by S Claxton who cooly intercepted the pass and passed it too lee hattam who played a sweet defence. Urging pass to allow Stevie T in on goal, the striker never looked like missing as he put it beyond the Barking keeper. Flyers had played the better football in the second half but couldn't capitalise and put the game to bed but it would come at a costly price when they was caught napping and allowed
Barking Borough to level once again making it 3-3.
Flyers however haven't been shy of digging in lately and were about to go on to show the strenght within the squad and team spirit thats flowing through the dressing room and onto facebook mid week. Romford pulled there socks up from the retake and began to attack Barking with everything they had, new signing Jack turned on the flair and caused the LB all sorts of problems. meanwhile it was evident all other the pitch the Flyers players commited to the cause as they all threw them selves into the battle. It almost looked like it wasn't going to happen untill another foul was commited on the edge of the Barking area, S Claxton then stepped up with a Beckhamesque strike out of the goalies reach and into the top left corner and make it 4-3. Romford wasnt finished yet and determined Not more began to close up shop, stand in keeper M Saunders who had already made a few good stops in the game kept the win within reach for Romford when he got down low to force a late shot wide one handed. Romford Flyers always do it the hard way but there determination and will to keep going and win was met when Steve Claxton intecercepted a pass and took it too the half way line to set up Tommy for his very vital goal and deserved the goal that came out of it which put the game to bed finally at 5-3. Not Romfords best performance to date but the hunger to win, bags of team spirit and ability too dig in and pull out results makes it a great season to look forward to.
COYF!!
