Halstead Town’s promotion from the Eastern Counties League Division One South at the end of last season sees The Humbugs return to the Essex Senior League for the first time since 1988. Despite Romford having met Halstead a number of times in cup competitions, the coming season will see the first meetings between the sides in league matches.

Brief History:

Formed in 1879 as Halstead FC, the club played only occasional friendlies until they joined the newly formed North Essex League in 1895. After the Second World War, the club added the Town suffix. In 1980, the club joined the Essex Senior League, but eight years later left to become founder members of the Eastern Counties League. Their best seasons in the ESL came in 1982-83 and 1987-88, finishing third on both occasions. Their first season in the Eastern Counties League saw them promoted to the Premier Division, since when they have been spent time in both of the league’s divisions. After finishing third in 2019, eight points behind champions Hashtag United, they qualified for the play-offs last season by finishing fourth.

Previous Meetings:

In seven previous meetings between the clubs, in the Essex Senior Trophy, FA Cup, East Anglian Cup, and Essex Senior Cup, the best result that Romford have achieved was in the 1996 FA Cup tie played at Sungate in front of a crowd of 356, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Halstead won the replay 4-0, and have won all of the other matches including the most recent, an Essex Senior Cup tie played at Halstead in 2004 which they won 2-1. That draw in the FA Cup apart, every fixture has been played at Halstead.

Last Season:

Halstead’s promotion to the Essex Senior League at the end of last season came by virtue of their triumph in the play-offs. Having finished fourth, and a massive 27 points behind runners-up Buckhurst Hill, they beat Benfleet 2-1 in the play-off semi-final and then won by the same score at Buckhurst Hill in the final.

Halstead did not take part in last season’s FA Cup, and in the FA Vase they were beaten 2-1 at home by Potton United in the 1st Qualifying Round.

Leading scorer for The Humbugs last season was Adam Hampson with 22, while two former Boro players, Alfie Cleal and Calvin Poku were second and third with 13 and 12 goals respectively.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

Halstead’s home ground is Milbank Stadium, Rosemary Lane, Broton Industrial Estate, Halstead, CO9 1HR. At 44 miles from Romford, it’s about an hour’s drive. For anyone contemplating making the trip by public transport, it’s a bit convoluted and requires a lengthy bus journey from either Marks Tey, Chappel & Wakes Colne, or Colchester Town railway stations.

Website:
https://www.halsteadtownfc.com/

Twitter:
@HalsteadTownFC