Romford 2 – 0 Coggeshall Town Match Report

Romford battle to important win over exuberant Coggeshall

Romford 2 – 0 Coggeshall Town

Saturday 23 March 2024 | at Rookery Hill | Att: 220

Match Report by Scott W [@ScottMHC14]

On this year’s Non-League Day, it was a return visit to Rookery Hill for this Essex Senior League match between play-off chasing Romford and strugglers Coggeshall Town. The hosts made this match free to watch in support of the special day in the calendar and they understandably made some changes ahead of a huge FA Vase Semi-Final first leg next weekend. Coggeshall were looking to build on a gutsy win at Buckhurst Hill in midweek. In fairness, the match started in a rather sluggish manner, although the hosts did have two decent chances early on. Forward Michael Bakare did well to create a chance to face visiting custodian Dev Bhamra one-on-one but the goalkeeper managed to deny him, before forward Hassan Nalbant headed straight at Bhamra in the next move. Coggeshall were showing good energy and were prepared to contest every ball on a tricky surface and midfielder Finn Wilkes was prepared to make forward runs from deep to decent effect.

The Seedgrowers were having some joy going forward as well with forwards Roy Stevens & Reggie Gregory keeping the home backline alert although neither side could produce some eye-catching quality in terms of their final pass. Eight minutes before the break, Deering’s good set-piece found Nalbant in a good position but he could only send his header off-target.

The second half needed a goal and to their credit, both sides did start to look more lively. A minute after the resumption, Boro winger Toheeb Elegushi made a good darting run down the left flank & found Nalbant but after showing good ball control, the chance at goal had gone. Stevens was arguably the player that could test the hosts, making some good forward runs and Coggeshall nearly took the lead as a fine strike by the visiting forward cannoned back off the woodwork with home goalkeeper Jake Anderson beaten. Unfortunately for the bottom side, they couldn’t create sustained pressure for long enough desoite some promising play in midfield. They had a let-off midway in the half as Bakare fired just over the crossbar from twenty yards out after a good break by substitute Amaree Robinson-Jones. The hosts did start to create chances and they did get the goal they craved with eighteen minutes remaining as a good cross from the edge of the penalty area by Darren Phillips found the run of Sam Deering at the far post, and Deering did the rest, calmly striking low into the corner past Bhamra.

Coggeshall were understandably disappointed by that setback but switching off defensively at key moments has been an Achilles heel for them this term. They kept going though Romford sealed the points in added time as a good break from Bakare allowed him to get past the retreating defenders and his low strike found the net to seal a good win for the Blues.

Full-Time: Romford 2 – 0 Coggeshall Town

In summary, this was not a memorable game for the hosts but at this stage of the campaign, they did enough to grab a gritty win which will maintain they confidence ahead of their hectic end to the term. A word also for the good attendance here making Non-League Day, 220 was third highest in the league on the day (Halstead led with 290 attending their 1-0 loss to Romford’s play-off rivals Barking at Rosemary Lane). For Coggeshall, it is a matter of when and not if they will be relegated after a very hard campaign. That said, the team here showed good spirit & I wish them well next term.

For victors Romford, their stand-out performers begin with a hard-working shift by the attack-minded Sam Deering who posed problems for most of the game with movement and intelligent play. Deering also took his goal well, while midfielder Lee Hursit had a good game, putting through some good passes and intercepted well to thwart an energetic Seedgrowers midfield. Centre-back Darren Phillips was a characteristically stout presence in defence and was strong aerially as well in the blustery conditions. Lastly, a mention for the graft and good pace of Michael Bakare who did well and grabbed a goal in the last few moments of the match.

For Coggeshall, a mention first for forward Roy Stevens who played his part in some good forward moves and was unlucky not to score, also competing well against a tough home backline. Midfielder Finn Wilkes also showed good energy and some good bursts forward to support the forwards alongside decent movement. Young winger Lester Ward also impressed, with good trickery and pace to get down the flanks and full-back James Pugsley also battled well to keep his team in the game, making several important blocks.

Teams

Romford | Manager: Daniel Spinks | Assistant: John Hughes

Starting XI: 1 Jake Anderson (GK), 2 Jamie Hursit, 3 Charlie Morris, 6 Scott Doe, 19 Darren Phillips, 8 Lee Hursit (Capt) (20 Jaiden Babalola 80’), 7 Ashaan Siddik (14 Kris Newby 63’), 16 Toheeb Elegushi (15 Amaree Robinson-Jones 63’), 18 Michael Bakare, 9 Hassan Nalbant (5 Jacob Wiggins 86’), 17 Sam Deering

Goal-scorers: Sam Deering [72’], Michael Bakare [90’+1]

Booked: J Hursit, Bakare | Sub Not Used: Nakipov-Getmansky

Coggeshall Town | Manager: Rob Moore | Assistant: Scott Keys

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Dev Bhamra (GK), 2 James Pugsley (Capt), 3 Kyan Gulliver, 5 Conor Tyrrell, 6 Demmy Nicolaou, 4 Jack Hauser (12 Ross Elsom 89’), 8 Finn Wilkes (16 Lewis Francis 80’), 7 Lester Ward, 19 Reggie Gregory, 10 Alfie Gilbey, 11 Roy Stevens

Booked: None | Sub Not Used: Burke, Keys

Referee: Alistair Potter
Assistants: Karl Dunnage & Steve Dadds