Tuesday 11th February
ISTHMIAN NORTH
ROMFORD 3 -2 BRENTWOOD TOWN

This local derby staged at Aveley FC produced a highly entertaining match with Romford scoring a late winner though Gabriel Adelowo to condemn Brentwood to a fourth successive odd-goal defeat.

Boro took a tenth minute lead from the penalty spot after Louie Theophanous was fouled and Mekhi McLeod converted the kick.

Town equalised in the 20th minute when home keeper Matthew Cafer failed to deal with a Robbie Rees free kick in the strong wind and could only push the ball into his own net.

Brentwood had a setback in the 27th minute when skipper Connor Hogan had to be replaced after suffering a knee injury, Jacob Wiggins replacing him in midfield. And almost immediately Romford restored their lead through the dangerous Theophanous, who held off a challenge before scoring past Tim Brown from ten yards out.

Wiggins and Temi Babalola went close for Brentwood and they were unlucky not be level again just before half time when centre back Jack Kemsley made a run forward and struck a powerful long range shot that beat Cafer but hit the underside of the crossbar.

There was another injury for Brentwood early in the second half when Rees had to be replaced by Marcus Milner after failing to recover from a knock that he received in the first half.

Boro threatened to increase their lead through Theophanous, Adam Morgan and Lheureux Menga.

Brentwood introduced new signing Marcus Elliott in the 75th minute, a striker recently signed from Haywards Heath Town and after Adelowo’s 89th minute goal they were desperately close to getting an equaliser with Cafer saving well and Temi Babalola and Pat Ahern both heading against the Romford crossbar before the end.

Brentwood Town: Brown, Furlonge, Rees (Milner 49), Edwards, Kemsley, Ahern, Topley, Pianim (Elliott 75), Babalola, Hogan (Wiggins 27), Freeman.