A under par first half performance from the Rovers saw Romford go 2-0 up thanks to a brace by Harrison Day. However, Rovers dug deep and produced a valiant second half performance as Shaun Gittleson and Harry Talbot netted to draw the game level and were unlucky to come away with anything more.

Kickoff:

The hosts were much on top in early stages of the first half.

Samir Ali put a shot wide in the very first minute and after nine minutes Aron Gordon took Jaxon Brown's pass and tricked his way to the goal-line, but could not beat George Marsh with his cross.

Jaxon Brown then found Greig Stewart, his low shot was saved by Marsh after 13 minutes, and the hosts went close again to taking the lead in the 19th minute when Day's overhead kick from Stewart's cross was blocked with Marsh bravely smothering the follow up.

Romford then finally made the breakthrough on the half hour mark.

Harrison Day ran onto a lofted pass by Teddy Desmond that the Rovers defence failed to clear and ran on through before smashing in low into the left corner.

Midway through the half, the both manager and assistant manger of the hosts were cautioned for disagreeing with the referee over a decision.

Rovers did have a rare chance two minutes later when Brandy Makuendi charged down the right whilst holding off his markers but he shot his effort over the bar.

However, Romford once again had a sight of goal two minutes later when Ben Sargent struck a shot that cleared the crossbar. Sargent was involved at the other end soon after, blocking a shot after 42 minutes, but in the last minute of the first period, Day doubled the host’s lead.

A good build up gave Brown the opportunity to cross and Day showed excellent control, and turned before firing the ball in.

Halftime: Romford 2-0 Rovers

Marcus Bowers made drastic changes at halftime as he made four halftime changes in a bid to get back into the game.

The changes would prove pivotal as the second half was a totally different game. Rovers went close 2 minutes in when Brandy Makuendi shot wide after running into space having taken advantage of Jake Barlow's misplaced header and the Makuendi was only denied a shooting opportunity in a dangerous area minutes later by Stewart's last ditch intervention.

Rovers were doing much better and looking dangerous and they finally got back in the game on 61 minutes. Rovers went on a good counter attack and Finley Ledger was fed through before seeing his fierce shot pushed out by George Sapsford but after a few had blocked challenges, Harry Talbot got the ball down for Shaun Gittleson to turn out and found the net with a well struck shot from outside the box.

A second goal always looked likely as Rovers were by now on top, and it came in the 68th minute. Jayden A
Alexander was found out wide on the right and went on a great solo run before cutting inside and fed in Harry Talbot who found space on the left and shot across goal and in at the far post.

The sides exchanged chances as the game entered the closing stages as Romford finally began to show greater attacking intentions. Prince Sikiru headed Kelson McFarlane's corner into the grateful arms of Marsh after 71 minutes and then Brown deposited a cross shot onto the roof of the net.

Rovers continued to look dangerous however. They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box and and Jake Barlow was booked for the challenge. Unfortunately, Shaun Gittleson curled his shot over the bar.

Stewart's shot curled over a minute later and then McFarlane had a shot comfortably saved by Marsh. Rovers created the chance of a winner as the game entered the final minute when, after a quick break, Reece Conway shot wide, but Romford might have won it at the death, only for Ekow Owusu-Boakye to divert Desmond’s low cross over the bar with what was the last kick of the game.

Fulltime: Romford 2-2 Rovers

Rovers will be disappointed that their second half comeback did not earn them a first league win of the season but should be proud of their fighting spirit and Marcus’s tactical changes. However, a point is a point. They remain 18th in the league.

Great turnout from the over twenty supporters who made the journey to Barking who backed the boys from the first minute and were loud throughout the game.

Next up for the Rovers will be Saturday 26th when they host Sporting Bengal United at Burroughs Park.