A trip to the seaside in mid-December is not the most attractive of propositions, but a jaunt up the A12 to Clacton is in the offing tomorrow – weather permitting. Clacton’s home game against Little Oakley on Tuesday evening was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, so keep an eye on this website and social media for news of any pitch inspections.

Romford won convincingly when the teams met at Mayesbrook Park back in September with George Cox (seen celebrating his goal in the cover picture, taken by Bob Knightley) putting Boro ahead and Hassan Nalbant netting a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory.

Hassan Nalbant scores from the penalty spot against FC Clacton. Photo: Bob Knightley

Previous Meetings:

Last season the teams met three times. In the Essex Senior League fixture at Clacton, Boro had to come from 2-0 down to salvage a point when late goals by Charlie Morris and Jake Gordon earned a 2-2 draw. In the return fixture at Mayesbrook Park the visitors were comprehensive 3-0 winners.
There was also a Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy Semi-Final played at Mayesbrook Park in April, and again the visitors were the winners, 3-2 that time after Boro had led 2-0 through Camilo Restrepo and George Cox.

Kris Newby (far right) fires in the free-kick that came back off the bar for Boro’s first goal in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy game last season

Prior to last season the only meeting between the teams was a 1996 Eastern Professional Floodlight Competition Semi-Final played at Clacton (who were then known as Clacton Town) which the home side won 3-0.

Last Season:

FC Clacton finished in fourth place in the Essex Senior League last season and reached the Final of the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy in which they were beaten 1-0 by Redbridge. In the FA Cup they won 2-1 at Little Oakley before bowing out 1-0 at home to East Thurrock United. The FA Vase saw them win 4-1 at Frenford before suffering a surprise defeat on penalties at Basildon Town.

This Season:

FC Clacton are currently 12th in the Essex Senior League with 26 points from 19 matches. Their home record is strong with five wins and three draws from nine matches – only Saffron Walden Town have left with all three points, they won 1-0 at The Austin Arena in what was Clacton’s last home game. In the FA Cup, Clacton were beaten 4-1 in an Extra-Preliminary Round replay at Real Bedford after the first game was drawn 2-2, while in the FA Vase they lost in the First Qualifying Round on penalties at home against Tilbury.

Clacton’s recent form has seen them win one and draw two of their last six in the league with their most recent result being a 3-1 win at Hullbridge Sports.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

FC Clacton play their home games at The Austin Arena, Rush Green Road, Clacton on Sea, CO16 7BQ. By road that’s 62 miles and 90 minutes from Romford, although delays are likely due to narrow lanes and speed restrictions through the roadworks on the A12. By public transport, the nearest station is Clacton-on-Sea, which is about a mile and a half away (half an hour’s walk). Alternatively, a number of bus routes (74, 5, 5A, 4 and X76) pass near the ground.

Admission prices at Clacton are:
Adults £8
Concessions £5
U18s £3
Programmes are £1.50

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 15th December:
Hullbridge Sports v Woodford Town

Saturday 16th December:
Athletic Newham v Coggeshall Town
Barking v Little Oakley
FC Clacton v Romford
Frenford v West Essex
Halstead Town v Takeley
Sporting Bengal United v Stanway Rovers

In addition, there are two rearranged FA Vase ties on Saturday, the venues of which have been switched following two postponements. These ties are:

Tilbury v Saffron Walden Town, which will be played at Catons Lane, Saffron Walden
Fakenham Town v Great Wakering Rovers, which will be played at Burroughs Park, Great Wakering