AFTER being unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup 4-1 against Waltham Forest on Friday evening, Romford manager Paul Martin made nine changes to his starting line up and it paid off handsomely as his side recorded their first win of the season on Bank Holiday Monday.
Hussein Isa nearly opened the scoring on two minutes but his free-kick eluded everyone and bounced just wide.
Mfulo shot wide for Ilford and Adejukun had a shot deflected wide by Lewis Payne. From the resulting corner Oshin headed the ball back across the goal and Simpson fired well over.
Joe Turner did well when receiving a long ball and his lay off set up Billy Radley but his shot was saved by Rose in the Ilford goal.
On 17 minutes it was Michael Gooch in the Boro goal who was the hero when he made a good double save from Mfulu after Jack Barry's miskick had left the striker one on one.
Five minutes before half-time Turner got in behind the Foxes defence but was forced wide when rounding the keeper and his cut back was knocked wide by Hussein Isa.
Romford almost went ahead on 46 minutes when a high Alfie Hilton cross was misjudged by Rose and looked to be dropping onto the head of Billy Radley on the Ilford goal line but the ball hit the crossbar and landed just behind the winger.
Romford finally took the lead on 54 minutes when a great ball in by Toran Senghore would have been met by Barry with the goal at his mercy but the Boro captain was shoved in the back.
The referee awarded a penalty and sent off the Ilford full-back. Hussein Isa scored Romford's first penalty success in nine attempts.
With a man advantage, Romford kept possession well but could not find the elusive second goal with Hilton, Radley and Senghore all having shots easily saved.
Deep in injury time Romford finally put the game out of sight when after some good closing down by Lewis Francis the ball fell to Michael Summat who cleverly reversed a pass and Senghore curled the ball home into the bottom corner to clinch a fully deserved and well-needed three points for Boro.
Romford: Gooch; Salmon, Oates, Payne, Barry; Hussein ISA (Clayton 85), Summat, Radley, Joe Turner ( Francis 80); Senghore, Hilton.
Romford's 4-1 home cup defeat by Waltham Forest on Friday evening was what manager Martin called one of the worse games by his side since he's been in charge at the club.
Romford were 2-0 down at half time, conceded two more in the second half and the only consolation was a goal from Jack Barry two minutes from time.
Romford's next game is at home on Sunday, September 2, when they entertain Wroxham at 3pm.
