FOOTBALL

Leyton 2
Romford 1
(FA Cup preliminary round)

LEYTON may have made hard work of it, but they did move into the next round of the FA Cup after a battling performance against a spirited Romford side.

The Lilywhites have made a flying start to their Ryman One North season, but they certainly did not have it all their own way against the Essex Senior League outfit.

Indeed, they had to survive a late barrage of Romford chances and corners to progress.

Having said that, they did go ahead after only eight minutes when Stephen Brady fired home an angled shot after some fine play by Adam Wallis.

But Romford hit back and forced a deserved equaliser through Brian Sutchley, who scored from an acute angle.

A minute later Henderson Brown's effort flew just over the crossbar.

It took until the 69th minute for Leyton to get back in front when Ross Edwards converted a deep free kick.

Romford pressed for a second equaliser and came close to getting a late reply when they smashed the crossbar five just four minutes remaining on the clock.

But Leyton held on to set up a home encounter with British Gas Business League outfit Brackley Town in the first qualifying round on September 13.