For the past few seasons, Romford have undoubtedly been Grays Athletic’s bogey side, with the Boro taking the honours regardless of league position. The Blues’ 6-1 victory earlier in the season at the Brentwood Arena seemed to have finally broken the hoodoo. Of course, since then Romford’s fortunes off the field have taken a complete about turn. However, the return fixture at Parkside singularly failed to live up to any expectations, with an afternoon that simply failed to ignite.

A strong, gusting crosswind made controlling the football a challenge for everyone, making the opening exchanges difficult for all concerned. Slowly, Grays began to grow into their game better than the visitors but more than a quarter of an hour had passed before either keeper was called into action. Lewis Dark was starting to see more of the ball in midfield and giving his side some semblance of rhythm. In quick succession, he created a chance for Manny Ogunrinde who worked Romford minder, Matthew Cafer and then an opportunity for Nathan Fox, whose cross went begging. Soon after Tony Stokes, Ogunrinde and Joao Carlos combined well, giving Cafer more work.

For the visitors, Mekhi Leacock McCloud was finding room down the right and more than once looked to cut in. But rarely did the Blues defence appear stretched, with the trio of King, Peter and Clark looking assured. Mitch Hahn then had two attempts from his favourite range outside the box, but both fell comfortably into Cafer’s hands.

Half time 0-0

Again, it was the Blues that started the second half the brighter but without any great conviction that the deadlock would be broken. Twice around the hour mark, Stokes and Carlos worked space down the left wing but to no avail, with the visitors finally calling Grays’ keeper Danny Sambridge into action, with a shot from Loiue Theophanous, after perhaps their best period of possession all afternoon.

The game started to become rather tetchy, with the Romford physio called into action several times, with players needing treatment at regular intervals and the referee, Mr Mathieson, eventually realising the length of time the visitors were taking on throws and goal kicks, in an effort to preserve the point they were holding. Perhaps the best piece of football of the day came from the rejuvenated Tony Stokes on 77 minutes, when some fleet footwork in a tight space out on the left wing eventually brought a foul from Boro skipper, Tambeson Eyong. The resulting free kick from Macaulay Joynes found Nathan Fox’s head but his effort went wide of the upright, with the keeper beaten.

For Blues fans, the day’s highlight was probably the introduction off the bench of new arrival Ruben Soares junior, who looks as if he might become something of a crowd pleaser, with several neat passes and runs at the defence. But in all honesty, this was scant reward for the sizeable crowd of close to 400 that had come along, swelled by refugees from the late postponements at Hullbridge and Billericay.

Full time 0-0

Romford will probably go home the happier of the two teams, although they will need to start putting wins on the board, if they are to justify new owner, Glenn Tamplin’s, investment and move away from the league basement. For the Blues, a clean sheet is as welcome as it has been a rarity this season. But the desired push for a play-off berth is still stuttering.

This Monday evening, Blues will finally get to play their Essex Senior Cup quarter final against local rivals Billericay Town. After three postponements due an unplayable pitch, the game has been switched to Parkside, with a 7.45 kick-off.

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Fox, Joynes, Clark, King, Peter, Ogunrinde (Sammons 80 mins), Hahn, Stokes, Dark, Carlos (Soares Jr 63 mins).

Unused subs: McQueen, Girling