Advent Calender 2015: Day 6 – Waltham Forest 4-4 Romford

Apologies that this post is a day late – but good things come to those who wait! And this was the case in Forest’s 4-4 draw with Romford in November 2011.

After a promising start to the season which saw Forest rise as high as second in the table, Wale Ojelabi’s side hit a rough patch where they would go 17 games without a win.

Six games into the run came a home match with Romford who would eventually finish 13th in the league table.

The Stags, after trailing 2-1 at the interval, scored three second-half goals to lead the contest before allowing Romford to equalise late in the game.

Capatin Jack Barry scored twice for Romford with the other two goals coming from Kurt Smith and Nick Reynolds, while the scorers for Forest were Jeff Hammond. (two), Josh Bonnett and Manu Dagher.

The home team started the game slowly and was punished as early as the 2nd minute when Barry forced a save from goalkeeper Aaron Omand and then tapped home the rebound.

Minutes later the visitors were at it again, forcing Forest’s defenders to clear the ball off the line twice.

Constant pressure from Romford paid off in the 16th minute when Smith easily rounded Omand and scored the game’s second goal.

And it could have been three shortly after, but Joe Oates missed from close range after Forest’s defence had been caught flatfooted.

The Stags then started putting some passes together but it was the brilliance of Dagher, who had an outstanding game, which led to their first goal.

He picked up the ball on the right, went by two players and drove into the box before slotting home.

At the other end, Omand had to spread himself twice to deny Oates and Smith as Romford closed the half strongly.

Forest started the second period the brisker of the teams and could have equalised inside 10 minutes but Dagher’s shot was saved by Lamar Johnson.

Romford responded with a 20-yard drive form Abs Seymour which shaved the post of Omand’s goal, before going 3-1 up with a headed goal from Barry.

This forced Manager Olawale Ojelabi to try a different approach in the 66th minute by bringing on Richard Shittu for Joel Palmer.

Shittu’s height and strength immediately troubled Romford’s defence and Forest earned a penalty which Bonnett converted in the 70th.

Two goals then came from Hammond in next ten minutes as the home side stepped up the pace.

The second resulted from a brilliant build-up which saw Mbive Lokando playing a through ball to Dagher, who teed up Hammond.

However, Romford were not finished and they came roaring back with a goal from Reynolds.

They then gained a penalty in time added on but Omand made an excellent save to deny Paul Kavanagh.

Hammond could have won it in the dying moments, but he hesitated and the opportunity was lost.

Went on to better things

Gaz Dauti has played for a number of Ryman Premier League clubs, while Peggy Lokando is now at Billericay Town in the Conference South.

Disappeared from view

Richard Shittu, Lukman Mojeed, Andras Molnar and Billy Melton all haven’t been seen since playing for Forest.

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