North Romford v Astra 26/03/2006

North Romford put in a fantastic performance full of grit and determination to run out 3-1 winners despite playing for 50 minutes with just 10 men.

Goals
Neville 2
Sutton

It was always going to be tough for Romford as they approached this game with a depleted squad but they worked together as a solid unit and ground out the result despite starting the game with only 9 men and going one down just before the break.

The clocks falling back an hour caught a few players out, however most were able to make it in time for kick off. Sutton joint the game 5 minutes in to boost the numbers to ten and NRFC looked as though they would have to play the whole game with a one man disadvantage.

Despite the disruption, the shape was still good, Brownie was as big and commanding as ever in goal and he pulled off some great early saves to give much needed hope to the side.
With Cordell's absence Jase Johnson dropped into the center half position along side Spice, JJ also had the skippers armband on as Neville was on his way back from Luton, and he really took command. His vocal presence alone at the back was enough to install confidence in those around him.
Spice was one of the players to really benefit from JJ's presence and he never put a foot wrong. Every header, volley and interception he made was made with such positive efficiency. Nick and Rick also put in very sound, no risk, performances at right and left back respectively which gave NRFC a real solid base to build on.

The middle four of Alex, Waddy, Cassidy and Clifton had their work cut out as they had to win their personal one on ones as well as offer support to Sutton the lone front man.
They did this however, with relative ease. Cassidy and Waddy were relentless in the middle as they won tackle after tackle and the non stop running from wide men Alex and Clifton caused endless problems for Astra.
Despite all the hard work and commitment, Romford were finding it tough to carve out any real chances. Sutton worked tirelessly up front and held the ball up with some nice one and two touch play but with four defenders as company he found it hard to get into any clear cut chances.

Just before the break, a moment of madness caused the only lack of concentration of the game from Romford and it cost them dear. Ricky put in a strong challenge on Astra's right winger and a complete over reaction from the Astra players forced the ref into a few bookings and talking too's.
With minds focused elsewhere, a long free kick evaded everyone and bounced to an unmarked Astra player who managed to flick it past Brown with a cheeky back heel. To go in one down was a touch harsh on Romford but they were boosted by the news that club captain Kevin Neville was only minutes away and would be able to join them for the second half.

As it was, Micks frantic shouts of 'Nev's here, Nev's here!' 5 minutes before half time were a touch premature. In fact Nev wasn't there until the second half had started, and even then it took him ages to get changed!

5 minutes into the second half and NRFC were back to full strength, Nev slotted into the middle and having an extra man in their soon began to pay off.
Alex and Ross were able to push on more and Cassidy seemed to be a man on a mission starting wave after wave of yellow and blue attack as Romford pushed forward in seek of hope.
Hope came in the shape of a corner with 20 minutes remaining, Sutton took control of a long ball forward and was able to force a corner for his troubles. JJ whipped the corner over and Neville arrived to power a header into the back of the net and level the scores!

The NRFC tails were up and you could hear the Escape to Victory quotes...
"we can win this"
"who said that?"
"what do you mean we can win this?"
"watch him back there, watch him"
"Colby, Colby, I want to play"

With around 10 minutes left on the clock Sutton again that received the ball with his back to goal just out side the box, he again held the ball well with limited options and drew a foul from his marker.
Again it was JJ who whipped the ball in, and again it was Neville who arrived unmarked to head home at the far post! 2-1!

Romford did not stop there however and they kept the pressure on looking for the final nail in Astra's coffin. It arrived courtesy of another JJ corner.
He whipped it in with pace and again Neville was on the end of it this time with a cushion volley from close range. As the ball made its way to the back of the net it clipped Sutton on the line and like every true goal scorer he is adamant that the goal is his. Seems harsh on Nev, but if it hit him, its his goal.

Regardless of who scored what, this was a fantastic team performance from start to finish. Every single player pulled their weight and not one player failed to stand up and be counted. With two games to go NRFC have clearly not written off this season and are looking to finish as strong as they possibly can giving them the perfect spring board for next season.

Team
Brown
Hollamby Spice JJ Ricky
Alex Waddy Cassidy Neville Clifton
Sutton

Ascot United v North Romford 12/03/2006

NRFC won 2-1 with goals from Neville and Edwards.

After a strong start from North Romford, playing into the wind it became apparent that they were not going to let their season drift to a pointless end.
Neville put them one up after some outstanding determined play from Clifton on the left making a mockery of the Ascot players around him (mind you their right midfielder was the worst player to ever grace a football pitch bar none - this was backed up when he kicked it out of play with a stiff leg shinner). After seeing off three defenders Clifton knocked it to the far post and the skipper was there to cooly head home for 1-0.

Romford then pounded the Ascot back four with some flowing football and good efforts from Sutton, Clifton, Neville and Cordell were all met by first class saves from the Ascot Keeper.

NRFC were then caught on the break from their own corner and a long ball found the Ascot forward who smashed it past Brownie to level the score.

Clifton continued to batter the opposition and he was blatantly brought down after again bursting down the left, however the ref decided that it was no penalty (even though Ascot were all dishing out a rollocking to the clumsy full back, making it obvious that it was a foul).

Just minutes later with that still fresh in the mind, JJ was sent through and after rounding the keeper he was brought down in the box... this time the ref gave it.
Top scorer Sutton stepped up with confidence, but his guess that the keeper would dive left him with egg on his face when his tame penalty flew straight into the keepers hands.

So it we reached halftime at 1-1 with NRFC feeling they really should be two up.

The second half followed a similar pattern with NRFC in control for large spells.
A lack of oxygen forced off Spice (1st half) and Waddy (2nd half), but to be honest they were just happy to be there after being fronted up by a whole family the night before for spoiling a young girls birthday party. This saw the introduction of Jason Edwards and a long awaited return to the side for Garry Smith (is his real name).

After a reshuffle saw JJ drop to the back four and Sutton drop into the middle, mainly due to Edwards lack of desire to run back after each attack, Romford settled down and reverted to the plan of using Clifton out on the wing. His endless running caused Ascot problems all day and when he had the chance to link up with Smith, who was also full of running, NRFC posed a real threat.

It was down the right though that NRFC were able to force the killer break through. After a Sutton corner was not fully cleared Neville slipped a neat through ball back into the corner, and Sutton was able stride into the box unchallenged and square the ball to Edwards who flicked it up, fell over, sat on the ball and back heeled it in. Showboating of the highest order if he ment it (he didn't).

Although NRFC stayed in complete control of the game Ascot were still able to force a few openings, the best of which was a fierce shot, met by a first class save from the big man in goal.

Late on NRFC had a chance to put it beyond doubt when the most blatant handball you will see from an Ascot defender, gave away a second penalty. Sutton, undeterred by his first effort stepped up to make a means and this time placed his shot hard and low to the corner, but it was met by a great save from the keeper at full stretch. Sutton, like most others could not believe it, it will be interesting the next time NRFC get a pen!

Despite missing chances to wrap the game up, some solid defending made sure of the three points.


Team
Brown
Hollamby Cordell Rabey Wadsworth
Alex Neville Johnson Cassidy Clifton
Sutton

Smith Edwards