HASSAN'S THE

Hero helps Boro write new chapter in history

- MATT BADCOCK

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.