Romford travel to Witham to take on Hackney Wick tomorrow, and despite the home side’s lowly position, the defeats that The Wickers have suffered have rarely been by more than the odd goal, especially at home.

After last Saturday’s thumping at the hands of Hutton, Romford’s performance at Heybridge Swifts in midweek was a great improvement even though the match ended in defeat. The home side proved to be formidable opponents and are clearly well set up to challenge for an immediate return to the Isthmian League.

Midweek Round-Up:

In addition to Romford’s game at Heybridge, there were two other Essex Senior League games in midweek. On Tuesday it was Landlords v Tenants at Burroughs Park as Great Wakering Rovers took on White Ensign, and it was the visitors who came out on top, 2-0. White Ensign are currently 11th in the table while Rovers are languishing in 16th spot.

On Wednesday SOUL Tower Hamlets entertained Hutton in a match moved to Ilford’s Cricklefields due to the ongoing issues at the Mile End Stadium, which is likely to be closed for six weeks for the necessary remedial works to be completed. SOUL won this game 1-0 with a goal in second half stoppage time.

Previous Meetings:

The league game at Mayesbrook Park in October 2025 was the first ever meeting between the teams and went the way of the visitors, 4-3. Hackney were ahead early on but Boro equalised through Charlie Hare only for the visitors to establish a 4-1 lead by the 56th minute. Goals from Christian Adu Gyamfi and Ramzi Mahmoudi reduced the deficit, but Boro could not find an equaliser.

In the return match in February, Romford missed a host of first half chances (including a penalty) before eventually going in front after 71 minutes with a goal by Flynn Hamilton before having to settle for a point after Hackney levelled with a penalty.

This Season:

Hackney Wick are currently second from bottom with just four points from 13 games with their only league win to date having come on the opening day of the season when they beat White Ensign 2-1. The only other point they have earned so far came in a 1-1 draw at Harwich & Parkeston.

Although Hackney have suffered big defeats at the hands of White Ensign (6-1) and Harwich & Parkeston (5-1), some of their recent defeats have been by narrow margins. They lost 3-2 at home against West Essex, 1-0 against Great Wakering Rovers (also at home), and in their most recent home game they were only beaten 2-1 by SOUL Tower Hamlets.

Cup success has also eluded Hackney Wick this season as they were beaten in their first games in the FA Cup and FA Vase by West Essex and Basildon Town respectively.

An early season managerial change has seen Hackney revamp their squad already this season and so far they have used 59 different players. Leading scorer for The Wickers is Erti Sylejmani who has four goals, three of which came in a 4-3 defeat at Halstead Town, although Sylejmani has not featured since mid-September and appears to have left the club.

Home Ground and How To Get There:

Hackney Wick share at Witham Town’s ground which is The Simarco Stadium, Spa Road, Witham, CM8 1UN

By road, take the A12, leaving at junction 21, joining the B1389 Hatfield Road signposted Witham. Cross the first roundabout and stay on the B1389 before turning left into Spinks Lane, then turn right into Highfields Road. The entrance to the ground is on the left, opposite the Asda supermarket.

By train the ground is a 20 minute walk from Witham Station. Some trains run directly from Romford to Witham, but otherwise it’s a case of changing at Shenfield.

Tomorrow’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

3pm Barking v Clapton Community
3pm Basildon United v White Ensign
3pm Frenford v Harwich & Parkeston
3pm Great Wakering Rovers v Benfleet
3pm Hackney Wick v Romford
3pm Hutton v Sporting Bengal United
3pm Ilford v Woodford Town
3pm Saffron Walden Town v Heybridge Swifts
3pm Soul Tower Hamlets v Hullbridge Sports Being played at Hullbridge
3pm West Essex v Halstead Town