The first match of new boss Dan Brown’s tenure sees Romford make the short trip to Seven Kings tomorrow to play Ilford, and Boro will be looking to avenge the FA Vase defeat that The Foxes inflicted back in August. On that day a decided lack-lustre Boro performance ended with a 2-0 defeat. Having beaten Boro, Ilford defeated May & Baker in the next round but were then knocked out by Little Oakley.

In the two weeks since Boro’s last game, the excellent 3-1 win over Barking, there have been just five Essex Senior League matches played as last weekend saw five of the league’s clubs involved in FA Vase ties. Ilford featured in one of the ESL games played last weekend, drawing 1-1 away from home against Athletic Newham.

Heavy rain is forecast for today and overnight into Saturday, so keep an eye on social media for news of any planned pitch inspections.

Tomorrow’s game has been chosen by the Essex Senior League to officially launch the league’s partnership with Bin Knives Save Lives Redbridge. While the organisations have worked together for a number of years, this marks the first time the league has integrated its partnership into a match-day event to address the issue of knife crime across the UK. Bin Knives Save Lives Redbridge will be present at the ground to engage with fans, players and the community, offering education and awareness about the life-changing impact of carrying a knife."

Previous Meetings:

All but three of the previous meetings between Romford and Ilford since 1992 have been either Essex Senior League or Isthmian League encounters. The first meeting between the clubs was a London Senior Cup tie played at Cricklefield in November 2001 which Ilford won 3-0. The scoreline was reversed when the teams met in the Final of the Gordon Brasted Trophy in 2004, Boro’s goals coming from Jason Friend – who got two – and an own goal.

Overall, there have been twenty-one matches between Boro and The Foxes with honours fairly even; Romford have won nine and lost eight with four drawn. One of those draws was the Essex Senior League game at Mayesbrook Park last season when Boro recovered from conceding an early goal to level through Derek Feyi’s only goal for the club as it ended 1-1. In the earlier game – played at Redbridge FC’s Oakside ground due to ongoing problems Ilford were having with their regular home at Cricklefield – Boro won 3-1 thanks to goals from Aundre Spencer, Ken Feyi, and Kalum Bama.

Ilford were the opponents in the first of Romford’s home games played at Rookery Hill during the 2023-24 season. A crowd of 232 turned out to see Boro win 2-1 with goals from Charlie Morris and Junior Luke.

This Season / Current Form:

Ilford are enjoying their best season for some years and are currently eighth in the table with 22 points from 14 matches. On current form, only Little Oakley can match Ilford’s record over the last six games which have seen The Foxes win four and draw two. Their wins have included notable victories at Woodford Town and at home to Halstead Town. The last time that Ilford tasted defeat in a league fixture was back in mid-September when they lost 2-0 at Little Oakley, who are the only side to beat them since as The Acorns won 1-0 at Cricklefield in an FA Vase tie last month.

At home, Ilford have been beaten only once in the league - by Hackney Wick – but three of their six fixtures at Cricklefield have ended in draws. Their most recent home game saw them beat Hullbridge Sports 2-0.

The Ilford squad includes three players with Romford connections. The evergreen Greg Akpele has made 17 appearances for Ilford this season and has scored five goals, while Louis Hiobi (who appeared four times for Boro in 2019) has appeared 19 times and scored in Ilford’s Vase game against Boro. Lastly there is Nickal David Luzolo who played five times for Romford in 2021, and has appeared in 15 Ilford games this season, scoring 7 goals.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

Tomorrow’s game will be played at Cricklefield Stadium, Ilford IG1 1FY. The ground is just off High Road and is a short walk from Seven Kings Station. The number 86 bus stops near to the entrance to the ground.

There is a car park in front of the stadium which is a pay facility run by the council, so please check parking times and pay appropriately. The changing rooms and club house are on the far-right corner of the pitch (behind the Hammer throwing net) once you have entered the stadium from the car park. The sports club by the entrance will not be in use.

Admission Prices are Adults £7, Concessions £4, Under 16s Free

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Saturday 15th November:

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