JEKYLL AND HYDE VICKERS LOSE TO ROMFORD

JEKYLL AND HYDE VICKERS LOSE TO ROMFORD

VCD ATHLETIC 2 ROMFORD 3

For the second game in a row the Vickers had got off to a blistering start, playing some controlled high tempo passing football and scoring two excellent goals to set them up nicely, only to show another side to their game and let the opposition back into the match to again take the points. After just 15 minutes they were 2 goals up and had chances to double that, but just when it was expected that they would go on to take control their determination faded, thinking the job was done, and they were made to pay by a team that refused to give up the chase. VCD went ahead in only the 3rd minute when Ed O’Neill and Kris Newby worked the ball out wide to Kojo Awotwi who eased his way inside Jamie Dicks, and as he reached the edge of the area he sent a low drive skimming into the bottom corner past keeper Callum Chafer. Romford responded with an effort from Will Green who tested home keeper Connor Pearce, in for the injured Nik Freund, who pushed his shot wide of a post, but it was VCD who caught the eye and Mitch Hahn saw his low drive deflected inches wide after being set up by Jamie Guy. Then, approaching the quarter hour mark, the dangerous Mekhi McLeod gave notice of his intentions when he cut inside from the left and sent a curling effort from 35 yards just over the angle, only to follow this minutes later with a repeat move where he again cut inside, and this time from 30 yards his shot dipped out of the reach of Chafer and nestled in the top corner. A quality finish. The Vickers were now in total control and had a chance of a 3rd goal when Hahn’s throw into the box was not dealt with, but Jamie Guy was unable to get enough power on his shot to trouble Chafer. Straight after this, Romford got a goal back when a long ball down the right from Danny Cossington found the prolific Chinedu McKenzie in space, and he strode on to shoot across Connor Pearce into the far corner. Although conceding against the run of play, VCD continued to press and should have got back their two goal lead when a great run by Kojo Awotwi again took him past Dicks from where his cross was only half cleared to Mitch Hahn in space, but with a clear sight of goal he drilled his shot wide. The miss proved costly as shortly after Romford claimed an equaliser when another long ball, this time from James Ishmail was not properly dealt with, and Greg Akpele nipped in to tuck the ball into the far corner.
The second half, certainly for the Vickers, was a complete contrast when they duplicated Romford’s long ball game and the match descended into a poor spectacle with the ball continually in the air. As quickly as it was played forward by the visitors it was launched back upfield with little quality and the game was in dire need for someone to get the ball down, take their time and play the simple pass, but sadly this was lacking from both teams. Cossington tried his luck, attempting to score from his own half and then Nick Reynolds had two efforts saved by Nik Freund, on for the injured Pearce. The Vickers then came close to taking the lead when Kris Newby’s free kick was cleared as far as Mitch Hahn who sent a first time volley arrowing towards the top corner, but it was matched by a breathtaking save from Chafer who stretched to turn the ball over. They came close again when Awotwi laid the ball back to Connor Hogan who sent it into the middle, but Jamie Guy’s shot on the turn looped on to the top of the net. The game began to get scrappy with a distinct lack of quality, but Romford’s sustained effort brought them the winning goal with 20 minutes remaining. Dicks released substitute Kwasi Marfo down the left and his low ball in caused problems in the 6 yard box, where it fell to the grounded Greg Akpele who scooped the ball into the corner from close range. Romford finished the stronger with some half chances as a shellshocked VCD tried to sort out their game, but it was too little too late and they were left to reflect on what had gone wrong for the second time in a few days.

VCD Athletic: Pearce (Freund 46), Hogan, Joseph, O’Neill, Bruce, Tchonang, McLeod (Garcia 73), Newby, Guy,
Hahn, Awotwi

Subs not used: Clark, Brickwood, Duncan

Attendance: 48

Reported by Brian Norris