14 September 2007
VIDEO:Preliminary Round - AFC Hornchurch 0-2 Romford

An Essex derby game to start the 2007-08 FA Youth Cup, sponsored by E.ON


AFC Hornchurch

0-2

Romford FC

 

Smith 37, 62

The FA Youth Cup Sponsored by E.ON
Preliminary Round
7pm, Thursday 14 September 2007
Hornchurch Stadium

The FA Youth Cup got off to a start this week and TheFA.com cameras were out in Essex to see a local derby contested between AFC Hornchurch and Romford at the Hornchurch Stadium on Thursday evening.

In what was a well matched game with two committed sides on show, it was the visitors who progressed courtesy of a goal in each half from striker David Smith.

Smith netted his first in the 37th minute when Romford hit their hosts on the break with Jack Forrester raiding in from the right flank before feeding a pass into the box, which Smith turned home with a low left-footed shot.

Romford’s second goal arrived shortly after the hour mark, when Smith collected a through-ball and slipped between two defenders before finishing with a shot into the roof of the net to settle the game.

Speaking about the win, Romford manager Steve Watts said: “It was a great game and we took half an hour to settle but once we got our first goal we looked much better and finished the first half very well.

“The goal settled our nerves, but we knew we had to come out strongly in the second half and we did that, which allowed us to start to dominate the game.

“I think that the work we put in today justified the result, because we had to dig deep in the first half and the boys never gave up, so we had the spirit and commitment from everyone.”

The win now sees Romford in the First Round Qualifying Round when they will face another Essex derby match as they entertain Ilford at their Ford Sports & Social Club.