UPDATE ON ROMFORD FC

Here is quick update on the situation at BetVictor North Division Romford after the club announced new ownership back in November. They played their first game at "home" since Saturday 16th November last night when they welcomed Hullbridge Sports at Aveley's Parkside ground. The recent wet weather has caused problems with Brentwood Town's (where they currently ground-share) playing surface. 

Two more players in Matthew Cafer and Ollie Sprague made their debuts in last nights game which ended in a 1-2 defeat. February is a busy month for The Boro with eight games scheduled including two very important 'six pointers' at home to Felixstowe & Walton United and Brentwood Town. 

RECORD SO FAR 
Sat 16th Nov - COGGESHALL TOWN L 2-3 (524) 
Sat 23rd Nov - Dereham Town L 1-3 (218)
Wed 27th Nov - Barking (Velocity Trophy) 0-0 (84)   
Romford win 4-3 on penalties 
Sat 7th Dec - Felixstowe & Walton United W 2-1 (359)
Sat 28th Dec - Aveley L 0-6 (412)   
Sat 11 Jan - Cambridge City L 0-1 (175) 
Mon 27th Jan - HULLBRIDGE SPORTS L 1-2 (166) 
FIXTURES
Sat 1st Feb - Grays Athletic 
Wed 5th Feb - WITHAM TOWN 
Sat 8th Feb - FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNITED 
Wed 12th Feb - BRENTWOOD TOWN 
Sat 15th Feb - Hullbridge Sports 
Sat 22nd Feb - Soham Town Rangers 
Tue 25th Feb - Maldon & Tiptree 
Sat 29th Feb - BURY TOWN 

BetVictor Isthmian League North Division 
Current Table - Bottom Four Only 

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	FORM	WIN%	PPG	PP
17	BASILDON UNITED	21	-12	20	WDLDLW	23.81	0.96	71
18	BRENTWOOD TOWN	20	-8	19	LWWDLL	25.00	0.95	73
19	FELIXSTOWE & WALTON	23	-19	17	WLDLLD	17.39	0.73	62
20	ROMFORD	17	-31	8	LLWLLL	11.75	0.47	71

WIN% - percentage of games won
PPG - points per game 
PP - possible points total 

PLAYER'S USED SO FAR
1. MANNY AGBOOLA 
Goalkeeper came through Reading and Oxford United's academy system and has spent time on loan with Hampton & Richmond Borough and Leatherhead. Made a number of appearances for Banbury United and was with Solihull Moors last season. 

2. HENRY MABASSA 
Defender who made a number of apperances for FC Romania in 2018/19 and the early part of this season. Has also played for Clapton and Ilford in the Essex Senior League. Only started the Coggeshall Town game for Romford and now playing with Stansted

3. JAY BACON 
Young left-back who started the season with Dartford but actually came through Romford's academy system.  

4. JORDAN WESTCOTT 
Former Takeley and Bishop's Stortford player who started the season with BetVictor Premier Division side Cheshunt where he made 13 appearances. 

5. PAUL HAYES 
36 year old former professional player who had retired from the game having spent the 2018/19 campaign with AFC Sudbury. He made over 500 football league appearances in the football league but the Coggeshall Town game was his only one for The Boro. He has since joined Southern Counties East Division One side Meridian VP. 

6. BRIGGS OJEMAN 
Joins from Bromley whom he signed for in the summer of 2018 and was in their u23 side. He made one appearance for The Ravens as a substitute in the in April 2019's game with Solihull Moors. Was with Dagenham & Redbridge and Tower Hamlets (3 appearances in 17/18) prior to his short stay with the Vanarama National title challengers.  

7. SAM BANTICK 
Started the season with BetVictor Premier Division Enfield Town but moved onto North Division Cambridge City after just four games for The Towners. He only made one start for Romford in the Coggeshall Town game. Now with Canvey Island in the same division for whom he scored twice in their recent victory (3-2) over one of his former side's Heybridge Swifts. 

8. FREDDY MONCUR 
Joined from BetVictor Premier Division Cheshunt where he made 12 appearances this season. Came though West Ham United's youth system and then joined Leyton Orient for whom he played a handful of games between 2015 to 2018. Also played for Wingate & Finchley, Bishop's Stortford, Ebbsfleet United and Concord Rangers. 
  
9. PHIL ROBERTS 
25 year old striker who came through the ranks at Norwich City and Arsenal. Played North of the Border with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Falkirk, Dundee and Alloa Athletic. He then moved to Ireland with Sligo Rovers before joining Chelmsford City in 2017. He has also played for Chesham United, Braintree Town, Hemel Hempstead Town and Dartford. 

10. JACK STEVENSON 
Former clubs included VCD Athletic and Aveley. Started the season with Great Wakering Rovers and is now back at Burroughs Park where he played against Heybridge Swifts, Aveley and Cambridge City recently. 

11. ANTHONY MENDY 
Another player to play only in the Coggeshall Town game. He started the season with Beaconsfield Town and has played for a number of other non-league sides such as Bedford Town and Chalfont St Peter. 

12. GERMAINE DUA 
Counts Crawley Town, Waltham Abbey and Canvey Island amongst his former clubs. Was an unused substitute for Romford against Coggeshall Town. 

13. JOSH EXLEY-BANKS 
Played for the academy teams at Dagenham & Redbridge. 

14. MALAKI TOUSSAINT 
One of the players who stayed from the old squad prior to Tamplin's arrival. He was a regular in the team from the start of the season. A midfielder who has also played for Great Wakering Rovers, Redbridge and Walthamstow. 

15. MAHAMED MAHMOUD 
One of the two players I can't find any information on. Not featured since the Coggeshall Town game.

16. AKEEM CAMPBELL
The second of the two players I know no information on. A used sub in the Coggeshall and Barking games. 

17. JOSH STRIZOVIC 
Nineteen year old goalkeeper who has been on the books at Braintree Town, Waltham Forest, Burnham Ramblers, Billericay Town and Maidstone United. 

18. TAMBESON EYONG 
Defender is well known around the local non-league circuit. He has played for Billericay Town, Canvey Island, Bishop's Stortford and AFC Hornchurch. Made one apperance for Heybridge Swifts in November which ironically came against Romford which was the final game of former manager Paul Martin's reigh. 

19. THEO OLA 
26 year old who has played in Sweden with Mjällby. Also played for Barking, Histon and Aveley. 

20. RYAN CRESSWELL 
Experienced 31 year old defender who came through the ranks at Sheffield United before playing for Halifax Town, Rotherham United, Morecambe, Macclesfield Town, Ferencváros, Bury, Southend United, Fleetwood Town, Northampton Town, Eastleigh, Mickleover Sports, Boston United and Bradford (Park Avenue). 

21. MICHAEL AZIAYA 
Counts Hastings United, Eastbourne Borough, Thamesmead Town, Dartford and Aylesbury United. He was part of the Carshalton Athletic's promotion winning squad from Division One (South) in 2017/18. Started the season with Ramsgate in the BetVictor South-East Division. 

22. DOMINIC McHALE 
A Manchester City youth player who then went on to be on the books at Barnsley. The 23 year old has also played for Ramsbottom United, Northwich Victoria, Salford City, Trafford, Hyde United, Southport, Ashton United, FC 
United of Manchester and Oldham Athletic.

23. ADAM CUNNINGTON 
A prolific scorer at every club he's been at. Started out at Barton Rovers back in 2006 and has played for Billericay Town under Tamplin's management. Was with Vanarama South side Dartford at the beginning of the season before a short spell with Hemel Hempstead Town from whom he joined Romford. 

24. ADAM MORGAN 
A product of the Liverpool academy and former England u17 and u19 international. Was with Liverpool from 2002 to 2014 and spent time on loan with Rotherham United and Yeovil Town before joining the Somerset club on a full time basis. He has well travelled having also played for St Johnstone, Accrington Stanley, Hemel Hempstead Town, Colwyn Bay, Curzon Ashton, FC Halifax Tow, Sligo Rovers and Mossley. Currently on loan form BetVictor Northern Premier League Division One North West side Widness. 

25. JAKE HALL 
A midfielder who was previously with Billericay Town, Boston United, Boreham Wood, Bromley and Grays Athletic. 

26. PAULIUS DITKEVICIUS 
A midfielder who has played for Hornchurch, Redbridge and Walthamstow. 

27. DAVID AGBOOLA 
Joined Romford for Coggeshall Town where he was a first team regular for the BetVictor Divison One North side. Was with the Colchester United u23 side during the 2018/19 season and came through the ranks at Dagenham & Redbridge. 

28. ARCHIE TAMPLIN 
Young player who was with Billericay Town but now follows his Dad to Romford. 

29. JUNIOR BAKER 
Made his debut in the Felixstowe & Walton United game. Started the season with BetVictor South-East Division Burgess Hill Town. Also counts VCD Athletic (where he spent two seasons), Cray Wanderers, Dulwich Hamlet, Thamesmead Town, Tilbury, Aveley and Grays Athletic as former clubs. 

30. JASON BANTON 
Signed from Braintree Town where he had scored 5 goals for the Vanarama South side this season. He made his Boro debut in the Felixstowe & Walton United game. The 27 year old was born in Tottenham and was with Arsenal as a young player but moved to Blackburn Rovers and then onto Liverpool, Leicester City and Crystal Palace where he failed to make a first team appearance. Played one game on loan from Leicester City with Burton Albion. Made football league apperances for MK Dons, Plymouth Argyle, Wycombe Wanderers, Hartlepool United, Notts County and Crawley Town. Started the 2017/18 campaign with Woking and then went on to play for Torquay United, Truro City, St Albans City and Dulwich Hamlet. 

31. RAMONE ROCHESTER 
Signed in December and came off the bench on his debut v Felixstowe. The 22 year old is better known as musician Ramz with his song 'Barking' hitting number 2 in the charts in 2017. 190,000 followes on Instagram. Played in a friendly game for Eastbourne Borough in October. 

32. MEKHI McLEOD 
23 year old well travelled London born midfielder who came through the academy ranks at both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham. Also been on the books of Rangers, Ware, VCD Athletic, Eastleigh, Billericay Town, Accrington Stanley, Southport, Warrington Town, FC Halifax Town, Welling United, VCD Athletic and Coggeshall Town where he started this season. Debut for Romford v Aveley where he came off the bench in the second half. 

33. SCOTT BONNETT-JOHNSON 
Moved from Potters Bar Town in the summer to join Braintree Town in the Vanarama South division before dropping back down to East Thurrock United. Like McLeod he came off the bench in the Aveley game to make his Boro debut. Another former Billericay Town player who also counts Dundee FC and Hendon as former clubs. 

34. BRANDON YOUNG CHAMBERS 
Young full back who joins on loan from Vanarama National League side Bromley. Debut v Cambridge City.

35. SANMI ODELUSI 
Forward who has joined the club from BetVictor Northern Premier League Premier Division side South Shields although he started the 19/20 campaign with FC Halifax Town. Has also played for Colchester United and Cheltenham Town as well as being on the books of Bolton Wanderers and Coventry City. 

36. EJIRO OKOSIEME 
Came through the ranks of Middlesbrough's academy and youth system. He joins the club from Welling United and counts Billericay Town, Bishop's Stortford, Chatham Town, Macclesfield Town, Braintree Town and Dover Athletic as former clubs. 

37. GABRIEL ADELWO 
Joins from Canvey Island and made his debut at Cambridge City. Played for a number of non-league clubs in the local area including Thamesmead Town and Cheshunt. 

38. LOUIE THEOPHANOUS
Striker joins from Kingstonian where he scored 18 goals this season - Played under Tamplin at Billericay Town. Romford debut at Cambridge City. 

39. BOBBY MILLS 
Joins Romford on loan from Vanarama National League side Bromley. He spent a period on loan in the Vanarama South with Hampton and Richmond Borough earlier in the season. Romford debut at Cambridge City coming on as substitute. 

40. JAKE JESSUP 
Goalkeeper who joins on loan from Chelmsford City. Made 3 appearance for Brightlingsea Regent earlier in the season. 

41. MATTHEW CAFER 
Debut versus Hullbridge Sports - 25 year old goalkeeper who started his football career with Yeovil Town. Has recently been playing in Gibraltar with FC Bruno's Magpies. 

42. OLLIE SPRAGUE 
Left back recently departed Vanarama South side St Albans City. He has also represented Hampton & Richmond Borough, Billiercay Town and Hendon 

NEW SALAMIS RESERVES WIN WITH A LATE GOAL AT HATFIELD UNITED

Prior to kick off at Birchwood on Saturday Hatfield Untied were in sixth place of the Herts Senior County League Division One had a respectable record of 24 points from 16 games played. The visitors New Salamis Reserves were in third on 24 points form their 16 games played so this was an important game for two sides wanting to be involved in at the top end of the table at the business end of the season. 

In a week where local football had tragically lost Reb Teppett (of St Margaretsbury) and Thiago Goncalves (of St Panteleimon) it was only right that before the game started both sets of players and those present stood silent for a one minute. It was immaculately observed in memory and respect of two wonderful people. 

It was a really entertaining game between two good sides - Hatfield took the lead through a penalty spot early in the game before the visitors who kept possession of the ball well deservedly equalised with a free kick. The home side also had their chances and took a 2-1 lead into the break with a superb volley from just inside the box. 

Hatfield had a great chance to score early in the second half when through on on goal in a one-on-one situation only for the keeper to dive well and pick the ball up. St Pantelimon then equalised from close range in the second half and it looked like the game was going to end all square before the ball broke to a visiting player on the edge of the six yard box for an easy finish to win all three points. 

Even later in the game there was a controversial talking point when Hatfield had claims for a second penalty kick - Did they deserve one? Have a look at the footage below. 



There was also an late tackle from Hatfield United in the second half that some people on social media have said should of been a red card and not a yellow that was given by the referee... have a look and see what you think? 



TWENTY THREE MINUTES - FULL HIGHLIGHTS

GREENWICH BOROUGH QUIT THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES LEAGUE

GREENWICH BOROUGH have issued a statement this week stating the following “Due to the severe business interruption, Greenwich Borough FC will not be participating in the league from today. We are not closing the business but just withdrawing from the competition. The club are not leaving for financial issues.“ 

The club have also issued a statement on their website - LINK HERE 

The club were champions of the step five division in 2016 and moved up to the Isthmian Division One South where they finished 3rd, 4th and 19th last season. They lost in the play-off semi-finals in 16/17 and 17/18 to Corinthian-Casuals. 

The club lost it's spiritual home of Harrow Mead at the end of the 2008/09 campaign as the land was sadly sold off to property developers. They ground-shared with Holmesdale, Dartford and then in 2016 agreed a lease to share with Cray Valley's Badgers Sports Ground. They have been sharing at Pheonix Sports for the 2019/20 season. 

A crowd of 41 people saw their last SCEFL game which was a 2-1 defeat at AFC Croydon Athletic in which Ehizojie Martins scored in the 90th minute. 

I for one hope the club, formed in 1928, can come back next season and provide a place to play and watch football for the local community of Greenwich. 

Ian Wright famously played for them prior to rise to the top of the game with Crystal Palace, Arsenal and England with Mo Eisa moving from Greenwich to the football league with Cheltenham Town in 2017 - He has since gone on to play for Bristol City and now Peterborough United in League One. 

Here are match highlights of their under 23 game at Ware last February which finished 4-5 with their goals scored by Lawrence Adjei (2),  Omotefe Edosio and Andrew Sesay (2). 

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH - THE RACE FOR THE TITLE

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	WIN%	P.P.G	P.P.G*	FORM
1.	WEALDSTONE	26	+22	56	69.20	2.15	1.90	WWLLWW
2.	BATH CITY	26	+20	49	53.80	1.88	2.30	WWDWWW
3.	SLOUGH TOWN	25	+14	46	52.00	1.84	1.90	WDLDDW
4.	HAVANT & W	23	+20	45	56.50	1.96	2.20	DWWLWL

PPG denotes points per game 

PGG* denotes points per game in the last 10 games

Wealdstone recorded what could be a pivotal victory in the race for the title on Saturday when they won 2-4 at Havant & Waterlooville - they had been 2-1 down just after half time but three goals in the second half recorded an important three points for The Stones. 

The big games continue this Saturday, as the in-from side of the division Bath City visit Wealdstone for a top of the table clash, which should attract a good sized crowd to Grosvenor Vale. City are without a defeat in eight league games with their last defeat coming against Havant & Waterlooville. 

Havant & Waterlooville tavel to Dulwich Hamlet (15th) tonight in another important game for the Hampshire side. They then go to Chippenham Town (21st) on Saturday with Slough Town travelling to Braintree Town (17th). 

COULD THE STONES RETURN TO NON-LEAGUE'S TOP DIVISION FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1987/88? 

BETVICTOR SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISON ONE (CENTRAL) - RACE FOR THE TITLE AND PLAY-OFFS

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	WIN%	P.P.G	P.P.G*	FORM
1.	CORBY TOWN	22	+31	50	72.70	2.27	2.10	WWWLWL
2.	BERKHAMSTED	22	+35	48	68.20	2.18	1.80	LWLWWW
3.	HALESOWEN TOWN	18	+37	44	77.80	2.44	2.60	WWDWDW
4.	WELWYN GC	20	+23	40	60.00	2.00	2.20	LWLWWW
5.	AYLESBURY UTD	23	+11	39	43.50	1.70	1.60	LDDWLW
6.	THAME UTD	21	+20	36	52.50	1.71	2.30	WDWLWW
7.	BEDWORTH UTD	21	0	33	47.60	1.57	1.90	LWLWWW
8.	BARTON ROVERS	21	+12	32	42.90	1.52	1.40	WDLLWW
9.	COLESHILL TOWN	21	+7	30	42.90	1.43	1.70	WWDDWL
10.	YAXLEY	21	0	30	42.90	1.43	1.40	DLLWWW

WIN% - PERCENTAGE OF GAMES WON 
PPG - POINTS PER GAME 
PPG* - POINTS PER GAME IN LAST TEN PLAYED
FORM - LAST SIX GAMES 

Corby Town, who finished in third place last season and eventually lost to Bromsgrove Sporting (2nd) in the play-off final, currently lead the way in the BetVictor Southern League Division One (Central) - they are closely followed by Berkhamsted who finished in sixth place last season and Halesowen Town who were relegated from Step Three at the end of the 2018/19 campaign. 

Halesowen Town are maybe best placed with four games in hand over their title rivals - they have fallen behind due to their successful FA Trophy run where they travel to Vanarama National League Maidenhead United in a second round replay tonight. They are without a defeat in thirteen league games with the last loss being at home to Corby Town on Saturday 14th September. It's a huge match on Saturday as they travel to Steel Park to face the league leaders in the return match. 

The Steelmen's two defeats (away at Barton Rovers and Coleshill Town) in their last three league games has put a dent in their Championship hopes and it makes Saturday's match a real must win one for them. 


TOP FOUR V TOP FOUR TABLE 

TEAM	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
CORBY TOWN	3	3	0	0	6	3	+3	9
BERKHAMSTED	3	0	1	2	4	8	-4	1
HALESOWEN TOWN	2	0	0	2	1	4	-3	0
WELWYN GC	4	2	1	1	7	3	+4	7

Corby Town have the best record in the top 4 v top 4 table closely followed by Welwyn Garden City and somewhat surprinsgly Halesowen Town who have two defeats (the aforementioned at home to Corby Town and when WGC visited them in late August they came away with a 0-2 win). 

REMAINING FIXTURES FOR TOP FOUR v TOP FOUR 

Saturday 25th January

Corby Town v Halesowen Town 

Tuesday 3rd March 

Berkhamsted v Halesowen Town 

Saturday 14th March

Berkhamsted v Corby Town 

Saturday 28th March 

Welwyn GC v Halesowen Town 

Saturday 11th April 

Welwyn GC v Corby Town 

Saturday 18th April 

Halesowen Town v Berkhamsted 

At the bottom of the table it's already been a very long season for Wantage Town who have just one victory in their twenty-two games played which came at home on New Year's Day at home to North Leigh. The Oxfordshire club have yo-yo'ed between the Southern League and the Hellenic League in their recent history. They were Hellenic champions in 2014 and stayed at step four for three years finishing 20th, 20th and 21st before finishing 4th and then 1st in the Hellenic League in 2018/19 season. With an eleven point gap between them and St Neots Town it looks as though they'll be back at Step Five for the 2020/21 campaign. 

TOP GOALSCORERS 
LEWIS TOOMEY (BERKHAMSTED) - 20 
MONTEL GIBSON (HALESOWEN TOWN) - 15 
JORDAN CRAWFORD (CORBY TOWN) - 13 
JONATHAN LACEY (BERKHAMSTED) - 13 

In the top goalscorers list Berkhamsted have two players. Jonathan Lacey (formerly of Leverstock Green) has 13 goals and Lewis Toomey on 20 goals, He has played for a number of local clubs including Hemel Hempstead Town, Hendon, Kings Langley and Chesham United amongst others. Former Notts County player Montel Gibson is in second place with 15 goals for Halesowen Town. 

FA SUNDAY CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Fourth Round Results
played on Sunday 19th January

Oyster Martyrs 0-1 Black Horse (Redditch) - AET (0-0 after 90 mins)  
Mayfair 0-1 Campfield 
Shepherds Arms 1-2 Dock AFC 
St Josephs (Luton) 2-1 Sporting Club de Mundial 
Talbot Rangers 0-1 Portland 
Peterlee Catholic Club 6-3 OJM - AET (3-3 after 90 mins)

Wixams Wanderers v Highgate Albion 
to be played on Sunday 26th January 

Quarter-Finals 
to be played on Sunday 16th February 

Portland v Dock AFC 
Wixams Wanderers or Highgate Albion v Peterlee Catholic Club
St Josephs (Luton) VS Black Horse (Redditch) 
AFC Jacks v Campfield

LEAGUE'S REPRESENTED
* denotes subject to Fourth Round results

LIVERPOOL BUSINESS HOUSES PREMIER
Campfield

BROMSGOVE AND DISTRICT SUNDAY PREMIER
Black Horse (Redditch) 

PETERLEE & DISTRICT SUNDAY PREMIER
Peterlee Catholic Club 

HOULIHAN'S BIRKENHEAD SUNDAY PREMIER 
Dock AFC 

WOLVERHAMPTON & DISTRICT SUNDAY PREMIER 
AFC Jacks 

NORTH HOME COUNTIES SUNDAY PREMIER 
St Josephs (Luton) 

BEDFORD AND DISTRICT SUNDAY PREMIER 
Wixams Wanderers*   

ORPINGTON & BROMLEY SUNDAY PREMIER 
Portland 

BARNET SUNDAY PREMIER 
Highgate Albion*