Romford 1 Takeley 1

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Sunday August 21st

Sunday saw me over at Mayesbrook Park for my first Emirates FA Cup contest of the season, and it saw an all Essex Senior League tie between Romford and Takeley end all square after a very tough and niggly battle in the Barking sunshine meaning a replay in the coming week at Station Road.

Romford have started their first season back in the ESL in solid fashion, and in fact defeated Takeley here at Mayesbrook Park only a few days ago, making it two wins from three so far, whereas for Takeley that was a third straight defeat in the league as the visitors have no points to show so far this campaign.

Both sides had also won a game to reach this stage and set up today's contest, Romford put in a superb showing against fellow ESL side Saffron Walden Town in a 5-2 success, whereas Takeley netted a superb win, also at a fellow ESL side in the shape of Redbridge, to progress into this round, could they put there league form aside once again and reach the First Qualifying Round and avenge that defeat from a few days ago?

That game saw Takeley net an early lead before the hosts turned it around to win thanks to a Kris Newby winner, and after just five minutes it was he who gave the home side a great start when after Alex Balisani had been felled inside the box, the Romford skipper stepped up to fire home the resulting penalty and Romford were ahead.

How would Takeley respond? Well, very well actually, and were level just five minutes later when Jordan Wescott burst through, and although his powerful effort was saved by Romford keeper Billy Lawlor, George Frodsham was on hand to fire home the rebound and bring the visitors back on terms.

And it was the visitors who were the better side for the remainder of the half, Romford had started so well but after they went ahead had gone off the boil somewhat and Takeley were the ones looking more likely to go in front, and even early on in the second period that pattern continued, however ten minutes into the second period came a moment that threatened to change that.

This is because Takeley full back Andre Humphreys put a challenge in on an opponent and a melee ensued, I personally didn't think the challenge was as bad as everyone made out but to my astonishment, and the Takeley players and benches too, Humphrey's was shown a straight red card, with the referee's reasoning it being a high and dangerous challenge, I didn't agree with this, it seemed very harsh to me, as equally bad or worse challenges during the game were not punished with the same penalty.

Anyway Takeley would now have to play the remaining thirty five minutes or so with a man light, could Romford, who had been average in this contest, possibly take advantage of the man extra?

Well in a word, no, as it was hard to see who had the extra man quite frankly, Romford failed to really push that man advantage home and even though both sides had openings in the remainder of the contest, Takeley missed the best one when a George Wappett corner swung into the box was somehow headed wide by George Powell when he seemed destined to find the net.

It had been a battle and a half, that was for sure, but as neither side could find a winner it meant it ended all square and a replay will be required in the coming days to see who will take their place in the First Qualifying Round and a third meeting in a week too, sure both sides will be sick of the sight of each other by then!!! Should be another tight and tough battle once again too, that is for sure.

Full time Romford 1 Takeley 1