Game 13 for me and my third FA Cup tie of the weekend.
Thanks to Romford and their landlords Thurrock, both being drawn at home in the
FA Cup this weekend, Romford had to move their game from yesterday.
The 13:30 kick off meant that I had to meet my friends earlier than normal for breakfast today. As usual, I was late setting off to cycle to the cafe, so had to push myself. Why is there always a head wind when you are in a rush cycling? Anyway after chewing the cud over breakfast and putting the world to rights and slaughtering the FA for everything it does or doesn't do, it was time to race home, get changed and head down to Thurrock's Ship Lane ground.
Romford are now in the Rymans League Div. 1 North. This is
the third incarnation of the club. The last incarnation went bust after trying
to get into the Football League. The club history can be
found here.
Romford now play their home games outside of
Romford. They ground share with Thurrock FC some miles from Romford. The ground at Ship Lane is one of the best non league grounds in Essex. Possibly second best now Dagenham & Redbridge have been relegated into the National League.
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| Photo of ground# "borrowed" fellow ground hopper Dan Wilson @essexfootie |
The ground reflects the fact that Thurrock had several seasons in the Conference South. There is covered terracing behind both goals, the main stand in the picture above down one side and on the far side is a covered stand running the length of the pitch, incorporating seating at one end and terracing at the other with a TV gantry straddling the halfway line.
I saw Hullbridge in the FA Cup last season when their run was ended by Grays Athletic at Millfield. That was a day remembered by me for the foul and abusive language from the Hullbridge bench and their team for the whole 90 minutes. They were a disgrace to the game that day. I have had clients prosecuted for less abusive language.
As the teams lined up today, I wondered what sort of game we would encounter. Romford this year have changed from yellow and blue stripped shirts to hooped shirts. These look more like rugby shirts. As Hullbridge warmed up, Romford looked as though they were practising scrummaging.
Hullbridge Sports are from the Essex Senior League, a division below Romford. You would not have realised it from the way the game started. In the first minute, Hullbridge were unlucky not to be 1 up when a great move resulted in a shot beating the keeper but striking the post.
Hullbridge continued to pile on the pressure and after 2 minutes they were a goal up. They continued to look lively. Romford seemed to be out of sorts. A lack of commitment ? Caught cold by the attacking nature of the Hullbridge play?
Ronford got back on level terms on 8 minutes and from then on gradually took control of the game. They got a second goal midway through the first half and then on the stroke of half time they were awarded a penalty.
Romford deserved to be ahead, but 3-1 flattered them and was a bit harsh on Hullbridge. The second half started with Romford scoring again. 4-1 up. Game over and an easy win for Romford. Would this be another hiding like last season up the road at Millfield?
Clearly Hullbridge had not read the script and kept on battling. It didn't look like they were going to score, then with around 15 minutes to go, they scored a second goal. 4-2 down and surely too little too late, it was a consolation goal to make the score look respectable.
The right at the end, Hullbridge scored again to make it 4-3 and cause a few squeaky bum moments for Romford. Then just to keep the excitement going, a Hullbrige player was sent off, I believe it was for something he said to the referee. Said play left the field and game continued, but despite the clear FA rules the player did not go to the dressing room, but walked round the pitch behind the barrier and watched the game stood next to the home dugout. Surprisingly no official seemed to notice this. If referee was aware of it, then an FA charge could well follow for the player.
A thoroughly enjoyable cup tie with lots of twists and turns to keep the crowd, including many ground hoppers happy. At £8 for admission and £2 for the programme it was excellent value and a good way to spend a Sunday lunchtime;
One thing that did amuse me was one of the advertising hoardings around the pitch. I have never seen an advert for "Explosive and Narcotic Search Dogs" at a football match before. I wonder what call there is for these amongst the spectators at Romford or Thurrock games.
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