Boro remain in top five in division despite defeat to Coggeshall Town last weekend

Romford Recorder: Nick Reynolds of Romfords scored for Romford in their defeat to Coggeshall Town in the Bostik North (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo)Nick Reynolds of Romfords scored for Romford in their defeat to Coggeshall Town in the Bostik North (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo) (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Paul Martin wants Romford to remain among the top five in the Bostik North with a victory at Dereham Town on Saturday.

Boro have enjoyed a bright start to the term having taking 13 points from a possible 24 so far.

The vast majority of those points have come at home, with the Rookery Hill outfit having won four of their five games on their own turf this term.

If Romford are to keep in touch with the division’s early pace setters, boss Martin is aware his side’s away record must improve.

And the Boro manager says his team will continue to strive to find a way to do well on the road so they can continue to be a surprise package this term.

“I know we’ve been struggling to get points away from home this season, but that is something we have to find a way of doing,” he said.

“We’re punching above our weight at the minute with where we are in the table, but I want to do it even more.

“I want to prove a point and show we can compete in this league, rather than finish near the bottom again.”

Romford will hope Saturday’s trip to Dereham sees a return to winning ways in the league after a 5-3 defeat at home to Coggeshall Town last weekend.

Despite the negative result, a positive for Boro in the defeat was two goals from Ayo Olukoga.

The utility man is back with Romford after starting the season at Cheshunt in the Bostik South Central.

Martin is pleased to have Olukoga back in his Boro squad, but it seems the manager is already facing up to the fact he may not have him forever.

“We know exactly what Ayo is capable of and I think he can be the next one to make the step up to a higher level,” he added.

“He needs to be consistent in his performance, just like he was for us last season.

“As long as he sticks with us, he knows he’ll play regularly and that is what he needs at the minute.”

While Olukoga is at the club currently, Martin has chosen to send several of Romford’s players out on loan to clubs in the Essex Senior League and below in order to give them the experience they need.

“We wanted the youngsters to go out and play men’s football. We did that with James Ishmail and he’s now made almost 200 appearances for us, so it shows it works,” he said.