Romford’s women return from break with deserved win

After three weeks without a game and with several players unavailable, manager Jason Murray was only able to name three outfield substitutes.

And after just five minutes defender Sian Lakes sustained an ankle injury, but her replacement Chloe Eastwell was to have a significant impact on the result.

The first half saw Romford control possession, with Sharmari Crawford, Sammie Kuski and Claire Huggins all forcing saves from the visiting keeper.

The breakthrough came from a sweeping move as Huggins released Kuski wide on the left and her cross was steered home by the advancing Raquel Mezquita.

The woodwork came to Corinthians’ rescue three times, as Shannon Simpson and Huggins fired against the same post and a volley from skipper Alice Sharpe crashed against the crossbar.

Romford continued to push after the break and went close on numerous occasions as the impressive Eastwell forced the keeper into a save low to her right, before volleying the rebound just inches over.

At the other end, central defenders Sharpe and Kierra Gabriel dealt comfortably with the Corinthians attack, with keeper Jamie Williams making two important saves when called upon.

And a second goal eventually arrived when Crawford broke through one-on-one with the keeper, who was quick off her line to block but saw the rebound met by player of the match Eastwell whose chip from the edge of the box dipped under the bar.

Murray was pleased with the result but knows there are areas for improvement ahead of a trip to Toby FC for a League Cup tie on Sunday.

“It’s a good three points and a clean sheet, however the game should have been so much more comfortable than it was, and the players know they will need to be more clinical this season,” he said.

“There were some noticeable performances and both goalscorers – Raquel and Chloe – stood out. Theirs were not only great displays and excellent goals but both are great examples of players who have been determined, are training well and raising their levels and have started to give me a selection headache.”

Romford: Williams, Simpson, Lakes, Gabriel, Sharpe, Saviciute, Stuart, Crawford, Mezquita, Huggins, Kuski. Subs: Ellerby, Doyle-Love, Page, Eastwell.