Waltham Forest 1 – 1 Romford

BOTH sides created plenty of chances, but a second half equaliser denied Waltham Forest their first League win of the season, writes Tony Brazier.

Romford started the sharper and Abayomi Seymore, Duane Miller and Manzi Mbala all brought saves from Jason Willis in the home goal in the first 20 minutes.

Forest countered and full back Ian Walsh beat off two challenges before forcing a save from Adam Rafis in the Romford goal.

Romford again applied pressure and Miller forced a vital saving tackle from Gbenga Ladega.

With play flowing from end to end, the deadlock was broken on 32 minutes when Danny Francis played a through ball to Ade Cole who ran on to crash the ball past Rafis to give Forest the lead.

Forest almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time when a Brian Suchley free kick took a wicked deflection, but Rafis managed to keep the ball out.

Straight from the restart Seymore forced another fine save from Willis and soon after a dangerous cross from Toran Senghore was blocked by Ladega at the expense of a corner.

At the other end Francis and Cole combined well again and Rafis turned the winger’s shot aside for a corner.

Play again flowed from end to end with Willis doing well to smother a shot at the post, but Romford drew level on 71 minutes when Senghore found Mbala with a telling ball which cut through the home defence and the center forward gave Willis no chance with a fierce drive.

Forest finished the stronger and Ashley Taylor –Forbes had a shot smothered by Rafis and soon after shot just wide as the home side pressed for the win.

The two sides meet again next Saturday at Cricklefield in the FA Trophy, but before that both have home matches this coming Wednesday in the Second Round of the Championship Manager Cup. Forest entertain Aveley, while Romford play host to Tilbury.