

REPORT BY COLIN ROGERS
An injury in the warm-up to full-back Jack Cosby forced Harwich to make the first change to their line-up.
On a very hot day in London, Romford were the first to attack with Christian Gyamfi having his shot blocked by goalkeeper Brad Cook, who was becoming the first Shrimper in 44 years to play every game of a senior football season.
Harwich than had a chance from which Joe Knight's shot went just over the crossbar.
Next, the Shrimpers mounted a well-constructed move, started by Reece Harte's pass to Alfie Canning, then Louie Bloom firing in a shot from the edge of the penalty box that went inches wide of the post.
With 25 minutes gone, Harwich took the lead when a defender attempted to head the ball back to his advancing goalkeeper, only to concede an own goal.
Romford were undeterred and Cook was in action again making a good save with his feet.
A lengthy delay that was to prove a major set-back to Harwich hopes came when their two central defenders Charlie Canham and Jack Wood collided, both suffering head injuries. Grateful thanks are due to the Romford medical team who came on to assist their Harwich counterparts in this 10-minute treatment spell. Wood (pictured) suffered a broken nose, causing him to then swap places with striker Knight, whilst Canham was only able to continue for 5 minutes before an enforced substitution.
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At half time, Harwich were still leading 1-0 but Wood was unable to continue after the break.
The second half started with Romford pressing and Harwich's man of the match, Cook, twice saved his team, making a full-length diving stop and then another block with his feet.
Romford's equaliser came in the 58th minute, with a cross to the far post that was hammered into the net from close range by Teddy Desmond.
Harwich came close to retaking the lead with a good shot from Zac Pedro that was pushed to safety by home goalkeeper Lee Haylock.
In the 58th minute it was Roy of the Rovers stuff when Romford's all-time top scorer, Nick Reynolds, put his team in front with a header that looped over Cook.
Harwich were not out of the game yet with Liam White crossing to Tiwa Odufuye, whose first-time shot forced a brilliant tip-over save from Haylock. Again, these two Shrimpers combined and this time Odufuye's header went just over the crossbar.
In a final effort, Harwich pushed forward and Romford made a quick counter attack with Cook again excelling to save a one-on-one situation with a stop with his feet.
A merited win for Romford, who at one time in the afternoon of ups and downs, were in a relegation position, but fought back to end-up comfortably avoiding the drop.
For Harwich, a 13th-placed finish represents a decent effort in their first season in the Essex Senior League.
Harwich team: Brad Cook, Oakley McNair, Charlie Canham, Jack Wood, Reece Harte, Tyler Sullivan, Jenson Goode, Alfie Canning (captain), Louie Bloom, Zachary Pedro and Joe Knight. Substitutes: Liam White, Tiwa Odufuye and Luke Hopwood (all used).