Great Wakering Rovers progress in the FA Trophy after beating Romford

Adam Vyse, Aaron Russell and Billy Johnson scored the all-important goals for Garry Kimble’s side at Rookery Hill.

Although Danny Cossington and Khadean Campbell netted for the hosts, Wakering were able to gain revenge after Romford recorded a 3-0 victory over the reigning Essex Senior League champions on the opening day of the season.

Scott Pethers unleashed a speculative effort from 25 yards with just four minutes on the clock, but home goalkeeper Rhys Hughes was able to make a comfortable save.

Garry Kimble’s side got off to a fine start and they were rewarded with a goal inside 10 minutes.

Following a well-worked corner, Vyse was on hand to head home from close range.

Russell headed an inviting Thomas Skelton free-kick wide as the visitors continued to create the better chances.

Wakering could have gone further ahead midway through the first half as Johnson was put through on goal, but Hughes made a superb diving save to stop the strike finding the bottom corner of the net.

With 26 minutes played, Wakering doubled their lead.

Vyse outmuscled Jamie Marsh and bamboozled another Romford defender before his centre was tapped home by Russell.

But Cossington halved the deficit as he met a dangerous corner with a powerful header on the half hour mark.

Nick Reynolds should have levelled matters moments later after the Wakering defence was caught out by a long Marsh ball over the top, but Coey Turipa was quick off his line and thwarted the Boro striker.

However, Wakering restored their two-goal advantage soon after the break as Johnson headed home from close range.

With less than 20 minutes remaining, substitute Campbell netted for Romford. But Wakering had done enough to seal their passage through to the preliminary round of the FA Trophy.

Great Wakering Rovers: Turipa, Ring, Skelton, Pethers, Woodhouse, Russell, Makhendi (Elsom 76), Cox, Vyse, Johnson (Bowers 78), Gordon