POTTERS BAR TOWN 1 - 2 ROMFORD FC: SURPRISE DEFEAT KNOCKS THE SCHOLARS OUT OF THE FA CUP

Potters Bar came into this game off a midweek defeat to Aveley and were looking to bounce back against lower league Romford in the FA Cup.

The game was fairly even and the teams went into the break level at 1-1.

The game tilted in Romford’s favour when early in the second half, Tyler Christian-Law was shown a straight red and left the Scholars chasing the game.

Romford took advantage of the extra man and took the lead late in the second half which sent Potters Bar out of the FA cup.

Story of the match.

Potters Bar kicked off from right to left.

From minute one the Scholars showed their intent with Frazer Shaw racing down the wing and whipping a ball into the box but the ball was cleared by Romford.

The resulting throw in fell to Dejon Noel-Williams but his shot was blocked and easily collected by Romford’s keeper Jake Anderson.

3 minutes in, Titchmarsh sent in a deep cross which was once again met by Noel-Williams but his header was wide.

In the 6th minute, Christian-Law played a wonderful driven pass through to the Scholars new signing Isaac Galliford but Jake Anderson came out to clear. Potters Bar were dominating the start of the game.

Romford were awarded a free kick in the 12th minute, which was dealt with by Shaw but only out for another corner. The corner was played short and crossed in by Romford’s Jesse Olukolu but it nestled onto the top of the net.

A few minutes later, Romford were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box with Romford claiming it was inside the box but the referee insisted it was outside the box. The free kick was drilled at Ted Collins who made a wonderful save.

Potter Bar countered with Noel-Williams and it was a 2v1 but it was brilliantly defended by the Romford defence.

The resulting corner was whipped by Kasim Aidoo back post and Jacques Kpohomouh fumbled the ball in! Not the best goal of the season but they all count, making the score 1-0 to the Bar 18 minutes in.

As soon as the game kicked off again Romford had a brilliant chance when the ball was sent into the box and Romford’s number 9 Jake Gordon snuck round the back post and somehow headed the ball over.

Another wonderful driven pass across field by Christian-Law to Aidoo led to the winger running at right back Tambeson Eyong and firing a shot at goal but it took a deflection out for a corner which was sent in but the keeper was fouled.

In the 34th minute, Romford win a corner. The ball was sent into the edge of the box and headed back across goal by George Allen and headed into the net by Romford’s 11 Charlie Morris.

Scholars were a bit taken aback and it was 1-1.

On the 37th minute the Scholars won a corner and it was once again sent to Kpohoumah at the back post but it was sent wide. Potters Bar were trying their hardest to get back into the game.

Romford had a great chance on the 44th minute after the ball was given away in midfield to Jesse Olukolu who laid the ball off to George Cox whose shot from the edge of the box was brilliantly blocked by Ethan Kaiser. The resulting corner was well cleared by Joe Boachie.

Half time saw the game level at 1-1. Another important half for the Bar to deal with was ahead.

6 minutes into the half and Calvin Dickson put in a tough challenge which caused the Romford players to start a skirmish.

The result was Tyler Christian-Law receiving a straight red and Dickson receiving a yellow card.

A big chance to Romford in the 53rd minute saw the number 11 Charlie Morris have a curling effort wonderfully saved by Ted Collins.

Substitution for Potters Bar in the 55th minute. Monville on for Galliford .

Potters Bar were struggling to keep a hold of the game and Romford were taking the game to the Scholars. The lower league side were showing levels well above their league position.

The ball broke for Noel-Williams who broke down the right wing. He got the ball through to Boachie in the centre of the box but his shot was cleared off the line by Danny Hurley. The Scholars were showing some life in this second half.

Romford had a strike from number 14 Emmanuel Robe who beat Finlay Titchmarsh and just struck the ball wide of the left hand post.

Romford made a sub. Number 10 George Cox was replaced by number 17 Alex Baliisani.

After some nice play from Romford, their number 2 had a chance to cross the ball. The ball sailed over everyone but it was a warning for the Scholars.

In the 79th the ball was lost in midfield by Potters Bar and number 14 Emmanuel Robe sprinted away from the Scholars defence and slotted home through Ted Collins’ legs. 2-1 to Romford and an absolute hammer blow for Potters Bar.

Another break for Romford and it was getting all too easy for them. Number 17 was left free in the box but shanked his shot wide.

Free kick to Potters Bar 80th minute. But it was easily cleared by Romford.

Sub for Potters Bar. Off Titchmarsh on Ike Olaiya

A late punt from Collins was sent up the pitch and was flicked on by Noel-Williams. The ball fell to Boachie who took a touch and sent the ball just past the top left corner.

Final chance for the Scholars with a corner and Collins was sent up for it but the ball didn’t beat the first man.

The referee blew the final whistle and it finished 2-1 to Romford. Devastating defeat for Potters Bar and the FA Cup dream ends here.

Potters Bar:

1 Ted Collins
2 Finlay Fitchmarsh
3 Fraser Shaw
4 Calvin Dickson
5 Ethan Kaiser
6 Jacques Kpohomouh
7 Isaac Galliford
8 Tyler Christian-Law
14 Dejon Noel-Williams
10 Joe Bochie
11 Kasim Aidoo

Subs
12 Quentin Monville
15 Sam Mcritchie
16 Ike Olaiya
17 Sammy Moore
18 GK Dren Hoti

Romford FC

1 Jake Anderson
2 Tambeson Eyong
3 Danny Hurley
4 Kris Newby
5 Scott Doe
6 George Allen
7 Jesse Olukolu
8 Camilo Restrepo
9 Jake Gordon
10 George Cox
11 Charlie Morris

Subs
12 Toby Barlow
14 Emmanuel Robe
15 Martin Tuohy
16 Tyrese Sibanda
17 Alex Baliisani
18 Bleron Ademi
GK Billy Lawlor