Romford ran Little Oakley close on Tuesday evening but were beaten, albeit narrowly and will be looking to bounce back with a visit to Halstead Town tomorrow.

Halstead did not play in midweek, but last Saturday they entertained Benfleet in a fixture that drew the Essex Senior League’s best attendance of the season so far, when 785 spectators turned out at the Milbank Stadium. The game – like Romford’s match against White Ensign – ended 3-3 although there was nothing like as dramatic a finale as at Mayesbrook Park.

Previous Meetings:

Romford’s first seven encounters with Halstead Town ended in six defeats and a solitary draw, but Boro won five of the next six meetings with one game drawn.

The first ever fixture between the sides was an Essex Senior Trophy tie played in September 1993 which The Humbugs won 5-0. That game was played at Halstead Town’s Rosemary Lane ground, as were six of the first seven matches between the teams, the last of these was an Essex Senior Cup tie played in October 2004, which Halstead won 2-1.

It was eighteen years before the teams met again, in 2022 following Romford’s relegation from the Isthmian League and Halstead’s promotion from the Thurlow Nunn League. The game ended with Romford’s first ever win over The Humbugs as goals from Tambeson Eyong, Camilo Restrepo, and Lewis Smith earned a 3-1 win. Boro then won the next three games – all of which took place at Halstead – including a 4-1 win there in the FA Cup in August 2023.

Last season’s fixtures both ended 2-1 to Halstead. In the game at Mayesbrook Park – which was played in wet and windy conditions as Britain was lashed by Storm Bert - Boro led through an early goal from Harry Elsey but The Humbugs levelled before the break and went on to win with a penalty. In the return at Halstead, Boro again took the lead with Samson Adelaja the scorer, but once more The Humbugs levelled and yet again, won the game with a penalty. In fact, Boro have conceded a goal from the penalty spot in each of the last three games between the teams

Overall, Romford’s record against Halstead is played 16, won 5, drawn 2, and lost 9.

This Season:

After finishing thirteenth in 2024-25, Halstead have been on the fringe of the Play-Off places for most of this season and are currently sixth with 29 points from 17 games, just five points behind leaders Little Oakley, so another tough game is in prospect for Boro tomorrow.

The Humbugs did not make the best of starts to the season, drawing their opening game 1-1 at home against Sporting Bengal United and then losing 2-1 at Harwich & Parkeston. They followed this with a 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Haringey Borough but in their next twelve games in all competitions, were beaten only once, and that was on penalties against Stanway Rovers in the BBC Essex Senior Cup. Included in that run of results were a 7-0 tonking of Cannons Wood in the BBC Essex Senior Cup and a 6-1 league win at Athletic Newham.

At home, Halstead have been beaten just once in the league, 3-2 by Little Oakley, but three other sides have gone there and earned draws. Halstead’s recent form has seen them win just one of their last six – they won 3-1 at Hackney Wick – while three of those six have ended in defeat, including a surprise 3-0 loss at bottom side Frenford.

There are few familiar names in the Halstead team this season. Goalkeeper Jack Cherry recently made his 300th appearance for the club, while influential midfielder Kane Gilbert has returned after spending last season at Canvey Island. Another player who has featured regularly against Romford in the past is Joel Older, as has Alfie Cleal who made five appearances for Boro during the 2018-19 season.

Leading scorer for The Humbugs this season is Joel Older with nine, three of which have been penalties, of which Halstead have had several against Boro, including four in the last six matches.

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.

Take the A12 to junction 19 and the Stansted Airport/Sudbury/Braintree/Chelmsford exit and follow the road onto Essex Regiment Way. At Sheepcotes Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Braintree Road (A131). At Panners Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A120 slip road to Halstead, and at Marks Farm Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A131. Follow the A131 into Halstead and turn left into Butler Road, just after the Esso Petrol Station. Turn right into Chapel Street, then left into Rosemary Lane. Parking is available at the ground, but there is also a public car park in Butler Road.

By public transport, it’s not the easiest of journeys, and the best route is to take a train to Braintree and then catch the 38A bus to Halstead.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Saturday 29th November:
3pm Barking v Soul Tower Hamlets
2pm Basildon United v Harwich & Parkeston
3pm Buckhurst Hill v Athletic Newham
3pm Great Wakering Rovers v West Essex
3pm Hackney Wick v Benfleet
3pm Halstead Town v Romford
3pm Hullbridge Sports v Woodford Town
3pm Little Oakley v Frenford
2pm Saffron Walden Town v White Ensign
3pm Sporting Bengal United v Ilford