Report by Colin Rogers and Terry Francis

The match provided good entertainment for the appreciative crowd of 230, basking in the hot summer sun.
With 15 minutes gone Harwich came close when, from Luke Mayhew's corner kick, Dan Keeble's header was cleared off the line.
The opening 20 minutes were evenly contested and then there was another chance for the Shrimpers when Mayhew was through but Romford goalkeeper Bradley Davidson made a point-blank save. When Harwich pressed again, Charlie Lindoe fired a fierce shot just over the crossbar.
Romford also created a good chance from a corner kick but a header was too high.
Harwich new signing Freddy Cooper, on loan from Stanway Rovers, also headed over from another Mayhew corner kick.
Ten minutes before half time, Romford had a player sin binned but defended well and the Shrimpers were unable to capitalise and so at the break there was a goalless scoreline.

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Early in the second half, Shrimpers keeper Brad Cook did well to tip a goalbound effort over the crossbar and then with an hour gone he made a super save when he blocked a certain goal with his feet.
It was nip and tuck and from a long kick from Cook, Shrimpers striker Louie Bloom was beaten by inches from reaching the ball and Davidson just managed to gather.
In another good Harwich move, the hard-working Bloom put Mayhew through but Romford were saved by a defender's excellent last-ditch tackle.
Romford were proving stiff opposition and were dangerous in well-constructed breaks.
Shrimpers full back Reece Harte opened up the visitors' defence with a clever through ball but Bloom was just unable to get a good connection on his shot.
With 70 minutes on the clock. Harwich made the vital breakthrough with Bloom the provider and Mayhew supplying the perfect finish from inside the penalty box, when he rifled the ball into the net, allowing Davidson no chance of saving.

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Romford were now forced into coming forward and with Shrimpers manager Matt Carmichael having brought on experienced playmakers Gareth Heath and Greg Rodger, Harwich were finding space in the visitors' defence.
Rodger tried a looping header but was too far out and Davidson saved and then, on the turn, Bloom fired a pile-driver inches over the crossbar.
Both goalkeepers had done well, and with normal time ending, Davidson again saved in a one-on-one situation, this time when Bloom was through.
Next up for the Shrimpers is a trip to unbeaten Saffron Walden on Tuesday night before a rteurn to the Royal Oak next Saturday when Buckhurst Hill are the visitors in an Essex Senior Cup tie.
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Tom Watkins, Reece Harte, Dan Keeble, Charlie Canham, Ted Johnson, Freddy Cooper, James Letts, Charlie Lindoe, Luke Mayhew and Louie Bloom. Substitutes: Gareth Heath, Greg Rodger, Alfie Canning, Alfie Eldridge (all used) and Max Long (not used).