BLUES BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Romford have held sway over Blues in the last few seasons, but finally tonight at the Brentwood Arena that ghost was laid with a resounding victory inspired by doubles from Joao Carlos and debutant George Purcell. Leading 0-2 at the break they put the game beyond Boro' with two goals within a minute in the second half. Purcell's goal was the pick of the bunch with a 30 yard free kick blasted past Boro' keeper Jack Riddell. The win sees Blues move into second place on goal difference behind Maldon & Tiptree.

The opening period was very much a stop start affair punctuated by delays for injuries to both teams - when finally a semblance of order resumed the fare on offer was low key with few passages of cohesive play. Blues again looked sluggish clearly angering Jim Cooper who animatedly urged an increase in tempo.

Romford started the better and with more composure in front of goal could have converted two or three chances created early on - illustrated when Steve King under hit a pass and only smart action from Danny Sambridge prevented a goal. Sambridge came to the rescue again when Timi Bababola broke free, pushed wide, rounding Sambridge his effort looked bound for the back of the net, but Blues keeper managed to recover and scramble the ball away.

Purcell had Blues first sight of goal from a corner, but wasted the opportunity with a wayward effort flying over - Carlos tried his luck Riddell saving well.

After recovering from a languid start Blues gained control in midfield - the Boro' goal was now coming under increasing pressure from a series of raids and only some brave defending kept the scores level. Purcell played through managed to wriggle free, bearing down on goal he pushed the ball wide of Riddell, who did well to turn the ball behind.

Luke Callander was denied on a couple of occasions with last ditch blocks - the pick, a subtle curled effort drifted tantalising wide of the upright. Once again it seemed the Boro' jinx would deny Blues, but in the 36th minute they broke the deadlock. From a corner the ball ping-ponged round the area finally falling to Steve King who finished emphatically.

Keeper Riddell who had looked shaky throughout the half contributed to Blues second - a weak punch from a corner found Purcell who sent a ball to the far post, where the keeper under pressure from Callander pushed the ball behind although Callander appeared to claim the goal.

Boro' did come close to pulling a goal back on the stroke of half time when Ethan Kessell scampered clear firing straight at Sambridge.

HT 0-2

Immediately after the break Purcell raced clear one on one with Riddell where the keeper atoned for his blunder in the first period sticking out a leg to deny the Blues striker his debut goal.

Romford looked eager to reduce the deficit, once again making the better start, but it was in vain when Blues pushed forward and won a free kick outside the home area. Mitch Hahn and Purcell lined up, but it was Purcell who stepped up and unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner on 56 minutes. A minute later Macauley Joynes funnelled a clever ball through to Carlos, sprinting clear of his marker he used sublime skill to guide the ball with the outside of his foot past Riddell.

Boro' now four goals down didn't let their heads drop and continued to look for a goal - Kessell was finding space in behind Jack McQueen and sent in a couple of dangerous low crosses which caused some consternation for Blues defenders - Sambridge had to be alert on a couple of occasions with diving saves to deny the hosts, but he was left exposed when a Giovanni Palmer cross was swept home by Bababola on 65 minutes.

Boro's elation and hope was extinguished just two minutes later when Purcell set Carlos free, rounding Riddell and sending the ball into an unguarded goal.

With the game virtually won Blues eased off allowing Boro' more of the ball, but they frequently strayed offside or over hit the ball allowing Blues to clear the danger with ease.

With two minutes on the clock Purcell claimed his second of the night after an interchange of passes with sub Manny Ogunrinde cutting through the Boro' rearguard the ball rebounded to Purcell who finished with aplomb volleying from close range.

Overall Blues clinical finishing and control was decisive on the night and with the added firepower provided by Purcell and Callander could prove vital to their promotion push.

Sambridge, McQueen, Joynes, King (Martin 62), Miller, Clark, Hahn, Dark (Muguo 83), Carlos, Callander (Ogunrinde 74), Purcell

Subs not used; Adebiyi , Pindy