Missed opportunities and defensive lapses proved decisive as Clapton CFC returned empty-handed on the road once again

With Romford celebrating their 150th anniversary, and holding their annual foodbank collection, along with a sizeable away following, Mayesbrook Park had a buzz for this East London derby.

It was a tight affair early on with Joel Akuwudike carving out the best opening after being forced wide, firing just over the crossbar. The game ignited dramatically in the 24th minute with a controversial penalty for Romford, awarded when Azariah George-Lawal seemed to innocuously collide with home attacker. In the aftermath, his defensive partner Adam Sidky was sent to the sin-bin for complaining too vociferously. Jaxon Brown stepped up to convert the spot-kick, putting the hosts 1-0 up.

Clapton needed a response if they were to break their away duck this season and were handed a lifeline in the 37th minute when the referee pointed to the spot. It seemed another soft penalty decision. James Goldring stepped up, sent the Romford goalkeeper Lamar Johnson the wrong way, but agonisingly fired his penalty wide, grazing the goal post.

Clapton finished the half strongly in search of that equaliser and Andre Odeku almost found the stretching boot of Joel Akuwudike with a pinpoint cross. Moments later, Akuwudike stung the palms of the keeper with a sharp shot from inside the box.

The visitors picked up where they left off after the interval, with Sidky glancing a header towards goal that was smartly tipped over. However, just as Clapton looked to build momentum, they went two behind in the 56th minute. From a corner, one of the Romford players lost his marker and headed home at the back post.

That was a body blow for the chance of grabbing a draw and the game edged to an inevitable home win. In fact Jack Francis produced a vital late save to prevent Romford from extending their lead further.

Ultimately, it was a tight and competitive contest where Clapton matched their experienced Essex Senior Football League opponents for large spells, but were undone by familiar bad habits.

Next up – two home games in five days against West Essex on Tuesday and Benfleet on Saturday.

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