Martin praise for Trophy win

Romford boss Paul Martin praised his side for their second-half comeback in Hampshire.

Goals from the returning Richard Oxby and Joe Pearman sandwiched a Danny Rafis effort for Boro, who earned a trip to Boreham Wood as well as �3,000 prize money.

And Martin said: “Their fans said the best team won on the day.

“The priority was the three grand, but we were going in blind and played defensive to see what they had.

“It took us three and a half hours to get down there and we were a bit slow off the mark.

“But we found our feet, changed the formation at half-time and got an early goal and didn’t look back.”

The home side started well, with Stefan Brown firing wide.

James Lester and Adam Rafis were called into action at both ends before the deadlock was broken in the 27th minute as Brown’s deflected shot found the net for the hosts.

Oxby moved alongside Toran Senghore for the second half and Boro were level within two minutes.

Abs Seymour broke forward and threaded a pass for Oxby, who hit a hard, low shot past Lester.

Totton, averaging three goals a game in the Southern League this season, pushed forward in a bid to regain the lead, but Rafis denied them, tipping over Carl Pettefer’s effort.

Seymour was thwarted by Lester, meanwhile, before Boro edged in front in the 69th minute.

Another successful break by Seymour saw him move the ball on to Senghore, just as he was fouled.

With the refere playing an advantage, Senghore whipped in a cross which Danny Rafis met with a diving header to send the ball whizzing past Lester.

Romford’s defence held firm in the face of further Totton pressure in the closing stages, before the visitors made sure with their third goal, six minutes from time.

Senghore’s pass found Pearman on the left edge of the box and he had time to advance and pick his spot with a low left-footed shot past Lester’s despairing dive.

Romford: A Rafis, Mackin, Kavanagh, Ishmail (Mbala 80), Toms, Clayton, D Rafis, Seymour, Oxby, Senghore, Pearman.