Romford women topple Toby rivals in Essex League Cup tie

Having battled to a fiercely contested 1-1 draw in a league game earlier this season the stage was set for another memorable encounter.

And Boro took the lead when Shannon Simpson broke on the right and fired in a cross-shot which proved too hot to handle for the Toby goalkeeper.

They came close again before Claire Huggins, being marked by two defenders, created the second as she saw her effort saved by the keeper but the loose ball collected by Sharmari Crawford, who cut it back to the advancing Shannon Simpson whose first-time effort deflected in off a defender.

A 2-0 lead at half time was well deserved, but Romford’s plan to keep it tight early in the second half didn’t last long as a deflected cross from the right spun viciously over the head of Jamie Williams to get Toby back into it.

The home side then smashed home an equaliser from the edge of the Boro box with a quarter of the game to go.

Boro began to wrestle back some control and Huggins stepped up once again as her quick footwork created an opening and her left-footed strike flashed past the diving keeper for the winner to set up a second-round tie with Broomfield.

“The first half was almost the perfect execution of our game plan, I was delighted with how the team went about their business” said Boro boss Jason Murray.

“Toby are an excellent side and the second half was less about the plan and more about just plain grit and desire and we have that in spades.

“Claire Huggins was hugely influential throughout and scored that wonderful winner, but there was also some fantastic performances at the back and in midfield.

“This is most certainly a team effort, so I can’t pick a single player of the match given how proud I am of all the squad.”

Romford are back on the road next Sunday, with a trip to high-flying Frontiers in the league.

Romford: Williams, Gabriel, Sharpe, Savicute, Eastwell, Simpson, Stuart, Mezquita, Cocoran, Huggins, Crawford. Subs: Kuski, Fenton, Lakes.