Barry: Boro believe in better finish

Romford captain Jack Barry says his side can go to Tilbury full of confidence tomorrow (Monday), despite defeat against Ryman Division One North leaders Grays yesterday.

Nick Reynolds headed Boro in front at Ship Lane, with his 13th goal of the season, but a Jamie Dicks own goal got Blues back on level terms before half time and Danny Bunce poked home a winner early in the second half.

Barry said: “We have another big game against Tilbury, which will be another tough game. But I think we can go into it full of confidence in how we have been playing recently and take the points because we are hoping for a top 10 finish this season.

“We know we have a bit more to do to get into that top 10 and it will be a massive achievement for a club like us and all the boys believe we can better our league position as to last season’s position.”

Paul Martin’s men went into yesterday’s match on a high, following their 5-2 win over Sudbury in midweek.

Tom Richardson’s hat-trick led the way, but the 19-year-old then joined landlords Thurrock on Thursday evening.

Boro put that disappointment behind them, with Ben Jones back in their line-up, to take the game to Grays, but could not sustain it and Barry wants them to bounce back quickly.

He added: “I thought it was a game of two halves, by us having the better of the first half and them of the second.

“But I thought we could have given a lot more to the game, like we did last Wednesday (against Sudbury).

“People started to tire a little bit, but I don’t think they played us off the park at all.

“I thought we matched them, footballing-wise and strength wise, and it shows we can compete with the teams at the top.

“It showed by their two goals both being own goals by being deflections, so we did think we were hard done by a little bit.

“When you’re at the top you get that kind of luck that falls on your side, but we can’t dwell too much on the game.”