Thurlow Nunn Division 1 South - Saturday 8th November

FC Romania 2-2 NW London

Ekow Amaquandoh 10' (FC Romania)
Samir Sedaoui 23' (FC Romania)
Bernardino Andeme 59' (NW London)
Bernardino Andeme 68' (NW London)

NW London were made to work hard for a point on the road as they drew 2–2 with FC Romania, ending their run of back-to-back victories.

The Gorillas travelled looking for a third straight win but faced a Romania side eager to respond after a heavy 6–0 defeat just three days earlier to league leaders Newbury Forest.

There was a welcome return to the line-up for Hugo Javaloyes, making his first appearance in several weeks, along with the return of Bernardino Andeme, who had missed the previous fixture.

Romania started the sharper, pressing high and disrupting NW London's rhythm. The visitors' first real chance came when Ariant Krasniqi broke through, only for a recovering defender to block his effort. Soon after, Javaloyes dribbled cleverly into the box but was denied by a near-post save.

The hosts struck first when a through ball split the NW defence, allowing the striker to round Will Barker and roll the ball into an empty net. Romania then doubled their lead — Sedaoui controlling a cross-field pass before volleying superbly into the top corner for 2–0.

NW responded with greater urgency but found the Romania back line difficult to break down before the interval.

After the restart, NW London took control of possession, and the introduction of Lamine Gomes and new signing Rocco Montorio injected fresh energy. Within minutes, Gomes lofted a perfectly weighted pass through to Andeme, who took an exquisite touch before calmly finishing to pull one back.

At 2–1, NW almost levelled when Krasniqi's effort was cleared off the line following a low cross from the right. Moments later, Barker produced a vital save from a header at a corner to keep the deficit at one.

The equaliser arrived soon after — Javaloyes spotted Andeme's run and delivered a brilliant long ball over the top, which the winger controlled superbly before slotting home for his second of the match.

The final stages were end-to-end, with Krasniqi having a strong penalty appeal waved away after being pulled in the box, while Barker stayed sharp to block a tight-angled effort at the other end.

In stoppage time, Okoko cut the ball across for Andeme, who jinked past a defender but fired straight at the keeper — denied the hat-trick his performance deserved.

In the end, NW London showed real spirit and quality to fight back from two goals down and claim a point, while FC Romania will be pleased to edge further clear of the relegation zone.