Barking are currently seventh in the table, one place and two points below Boro with 36 points but having played two games fewer. Like Boro, Barking were beaten in their last outing, in their case they lost 2-1 at home by Woodford Town, having led at half-time.

In Boxing Day’s fixtures, Stanway Rovers made it 21 league games unbeaten with a 3-1 win at Halstead Town to maintain their top spot, although second placed Woodford Town would overtake them if they won all of their three games in hand. Stanway’s only league defeat so far came on the opening day of the season against Boro. The team in third spot, Takeley, had a thumping 6-0 win at Sawbridgeworth Town and are now unbeaten in their last 12 league games. Takeley are Romford’s opponents in the opening fixture of 2025.

The other games played on Boxing Day saw Little Oakley win 4-1 at FC Clacton while White Ensign beat Hullbridge Sports 3-1.

Previous Meetings:

Tomorrow will be the 28th meeting between the sides since 1992 with Romford holding marginally the better record having won 12 of the previous twenty-seven games while Barking have won 9.

The first meeting between the teams was in October 1995, an Eastern Floodlight Competition game played at Rush Green, which Barking won 4-1. The first league encounter was an ICIS League match played at Sungate in September 1996; Barking won that one as well, 4-2 in front of a crowd of 431. Romford won the return however, a Paul Evans goal clinching a 1-0 victory at Mayesbrook Park as Boro homed in on the ICIS League Division Two championship.

There was no shortage of drama in the three games between the sides last season. In Romford’s home Essex Senior League game at Mayesbrook Park it ended 2-2 with Bruno Gomes and Sam Deering on the scoresheet for Boro. The return game at the same venue ended with Romford 2-0 winners. Hassan Nalbant and Ash Siddik scored Boro’s goals but victory came at a price as Nalbant and Junior Luke were sent off, resulting in them missing the following week’s FA Vase Quarter Final tie at North Greenford United.

The third game was the Essex Senior League Play-Off Semi-Final. Watched by a crowd of 195 at Rookery Hill, a Kris Newby penalty on the stroke of half-time earned Boro a 1-0 win and a place in the Final against Sporting Bengal United.

This Season:

Barking’s recent form has seen them win six of their last ten league games and their only defeat in the last seven was last weekend’s loss against Woodford Town. Their recent wins include a 2-0 success at Great Wakering Rovers and a 3-1 home victory over Saffron Walden Town. At home, Barking have won six of their eleven games, but tasted have defeat at The Lawtech Stadium against Frenford, Buckhurst Hill, and Woodford Town.

In the cups, Barking reached the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with wins over Tring Athletic, Redbridge, and St Neots Town before losing at home to Gorleston in a replay. In the FA Vase they beat FC Baresi in the First Qualifying Round but went out to Takeley, losing 3-0 at home in the Second Qualifying Round.

In the managerial hot seat at The Lawtech is Craig Edwards, a familiar name to all Boro supporters from his days as manager at Billericay Town and Cheshunt, among others. Leading scorer for Barking this season is Juwon Akintunde, who has 16 goals in all competitions, followed by Sam Shaban with 10 goals.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 27th December:
Woodford Town v Buckhurst Hill

Saturday 28th December
Barking v Romford
Benfleet v Great Wakering Rovers 2pm
Frenford v West Essex
Ilford v Athletic Newham
Saffron Walden Town v Stansted