HASSAN Nalbant fired a Wembley double as Romford won this Essex derby – and the 50th FA Vase final.
Striker Nalbant got Boro up and running early in the first half before crowning victory deep in stoppage time after Sam Deering’s strike.
Ultimately it was two goals in two minutes that put Dan Spinks’ side firmly in the driving seat.
Great Wakering gave everything to get back into the game but, marshalled by the excellent Scott Doe, and with the magic feet of Deering in the middle of the park, they were always kept at arm’s length.
Romford have a storied history. Originally founded in 1876, they even reached Wembley in 1949 when they contested the FA Amateur Cup final in front of 93,000 fans where they lost narrowly to Bromley.
In their long past they’ve re-formed as Romford United and Romford Town and been resurrected twice – the last time in 1992 when a group of locals, led by retired policeman David Howie and including current chairman Steve Gardener, met at the local ice rink to discuss reviving a famous footballing name.
In the years since, they’ve enjoyed the sweet success of promotion and the bitter taste of relegations, bouncing between the Isthmian Leagues and the Essex Senior League.
On Monday, they missed out on a return to Step 4 in the play-off final against Sporting Bengal United and, two days later, a second-string side lost 4-0 to Stanway Rovers in the League Cup final. This would have more than made up for it.
Denne historien er fra May 12, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 12, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.