Defeat to Romford puzzles coach after dominant first-half performance

Old Streetonians coach David Bailey struggled to put his finger on what went wrong as he watched his side throw away a 6-0 lead to lose 34-6 at home to Romford & Gidea Park at the weekend.

As the teams were about to take to the pitch a storm began, but despite the wet conditions, it was Old Streets who stamped their authority on the game.

“We started really well and they couldn’t touch us,” said Bailey.

“We easily won the first half and we were dominating and controlling the game, which was really pleasing.

“I would have liked to have reached half time with more points on the board, but I thought we would build on our lead in the second half.”

After the break, Romford emerged a different side and changed the way they were playing.

“I really can’t put my finger on what happened,” said Bailey.

“They just came out in the second half and changed their gameplan by playing in the wider areas.

“We just crumbled and didn’t deal with it. In the first half, they didn’t get a touch of the ball.

“I don’t think that it was fitness related, we just made lots of missed tackles, which allowed them to score.”

And Bailey revealed that the final score of 34-6 didn’t come as a shock to him.

“Before the game I didn’t think we would win as we were playing one of the better sides in this division,” he said.

“Last season, they were near the top of the league and they are an established force.

“They have played together for a long time, as is often the case with clubs from satellite towns such as Romford.

“It is the same story with us every year, the players don’t know each other yet and will take some time to gel.”

With two losses from their opening two games, Old Streets are now bottom of London Two North East, but this does not worry Bailey.

“It is very early in the season and I am not overly concerned yet as we are still a new side,” he added.

“We still have two or three games to get some points on the board and let the team get to know each other.”

This weekend, Old Streets travel to Hampstead, who are currently unbeaten this season.