The draw for the First Round Proper of the FA Vase has been made today and Romford have been given a home tie against Hadleigh United of the Thurlow Nunn League Division One North. Hadleigh have reached this stage of the competition having beaten Sawbridgeworth Town and Brantham Athletic.

Romford have met Hadleigh United twice before, both in FA Cup ties. In 1995 Romford beat Hadleigh 1-0 at Rush Green, and in 2013 Boro won 5-0 at Hadleigh.

First Round ties are scheduled for Saturday 10th October 2026. Barking have a home Essex Senior League game against Harwich & Parkeston that day, so an announcement about the date and kick-off time will be made in due course.

Romford's Essex Senior League game at Saffron Walden Town, scheduled for 10th October, will be rearranged with a new date announced once known. The game at Saffron Walden would have been postponed even had Romford not progressed as Walden enter the FA Vase at the First Round stage this season and therefore have a tie on that day.

Prize money at stake in the First Round is £825 for winning clubs and £250 for losing clubs.

The FA Vase ties involving Essex Senior League clubs are:

Dereham Town v Saffron Walden Town
Romford v Hadleigh United
Downham Town v White Ensign
Heybridge Swifts v Hoddesdon Town
Norwich United v Hullbridge Sports
West Essex v Rayleigh Town
Risborough Rangers v SOUL Tower Hamlets

The full draw can be found on the FA website