Romford produced best and worst displays of season says boss

A Hassan Nalbant hat-trick had led them to a 4-1 home win over FC Clacton at the weekend, but they fell to a 3-2 loss at Frenford on Tuesday.

And Spinks admitted they were two vastly different displays from the leaders.

“Saturday we were excellent, our best performance of the season,” he said.

“Tuesday was our worst performance of the season.

“We had a couple of forced changes but I’m not blaming that.

“We started slow. They scored after 24 seconds but we made three mistakes before the goal.

“It set the tone for the evening. We couldn’t get out of that rut.”

Bobby Dailly cancelled out Sam Ince’s early opener before half-time, but Dion Johnston restored Frenford’s lead early in the second half.

Lee Hursit levelled from the spot nine minutes from time, but a mix-up between goalkeeper Wayne Baker – deputising for the injured Jake Anderson – and Darren Phillips allowed Johnston to secure Frenford’s first victory of the campaign soon after.

A late red card to Junior Luke compounded Boro’s misery, with Spinks adding: “When we got back to 2-2 I fancied us to nick it. It would’ve been undeserved, but then there was another mistake at the back and Junior gets sent off to top it off.

“It’s a shame because he has been excellent but a week off will do him no harm, he’s played every minute so far this season.

“We’ve got to bounce back and will chat about it on Thursday.”

Despite defeat, Boro remained top of the table with 20 points from nine games, but Woodford took over at the summit on goal difference after beating West Essex on Wednesday and still have a game in hand.

“I would’ve bitten your hand off [if offered 20 points from nine games] at the start of the season, but the performance and the way you lose, it’s very disappointing,” said Spinks.

“We’ve got to take the positives from the other eight, go again and move on.

“Hassan was excellent on Saturday, unplayable. He’s enjoying his football, getting in early and meeting up with the lads, they all get on, the banter starts. It has got him flowing.”

Boro head to White Ensign on Saturday, before turning their attention to the Essex Senior Cup and a first-round tie home with Great Wakering on Wednesday.

“Ensign will be a very tough game. They’ve made a couple of signings and are looking to improve,” added Spinks.

“We’ve never done too well there but if we go with the right attitude hopefully we can get a positive result.

“I will mix it up on Wednesday and give a few boys some minutes. All the boys would play in most teams so it won’t be a weakened team, just a changed team.”