Romford Women win nine-goal thriller on Essex League debut

The Boro Belles settled quickly in blazing sunshine and soaring temperatures and early pressure led to Claire Huggins scoring on 13 minutes after excellent work by Chrissy Fenton and Kierra Gabriel.

The lead was doubled four minutes later when Sharmari Crawford reacted quickest after the visiting keeper spilled the ball, holding off a defender to slot into the unguarded net.

And as Bowers looked to struggle in the heat it was 3-0 early in the second half when a through ball from Raquel Mezquite was met first time by Georgia Maxwell-Jones.

The visitors hit back a few minutes later, but Boro went 4-1 up on 56 minutes when Eve Doyle-Love chipped the ball over a defender and volleyed home.

Bowers added a second on the hour with a well directed header from a corner, but Romford appeared to have put the game beyond them when Huggins, a constant threat every time she was on the ball, took on the entire visiting defence, riding challenges as she was forced wide and lashing home to make it 5-2 on 75 minutes.

A long-range effort closed the gap soon after, though, as Bowers began to enjoy their best spell of the game and a speculative shot dipped over Jamie Williams with five minutes left to set up a nervous finale.

Romford held on for their first league points and host Frontiers on Sunday (2pm).

“We had a very clear plan for how we wanted to approach the game and impose ourselves, factoring in the extreme conditions, and how it might affect both teams,” said boss Jason Murray.

“We are delighted the players took on board all the instructions so well and we felt we controlled large parts of the game.

“It’s encouraging to see them find their groove, with some wonderful strikes too. Huge credit to Bowers who are a strong side and they gave us a nervy last few minutes after two late screamers. It was a classic game for the neutral but maybe not for us coaches!”

Romford: Williams, Simpson, Lakes, Whyte, Sharp, Savicoute, Gabriel, Huggins, Kuski, Maxwell-Jones, Crawford. Subs: Mezquita, Page, Fenton, Eastwell, Doyle-Love.