Hard on the heels of Wednesday’s local derby with Hornchurch, Boro continue their pre-season programme with a trip to Bexleyheath to play Step 5 opposition in the form of Southern Counties East League Premier Division side Phoenix Sports.

Phoenix were relegated from the Isthmian League South East Division at the end of last season having finished nineteenth, seven points from safety. Their pre-season fixtures so far have seen them lose 3-2 against Sittingbourne and 1-0 at Barking, but they have since won 2-0 at Herne Bay and on Tuesday they beat Lordswood 1-0.

Brief History of Phoenix Sports:

Phoenix Sports began life in 1935 as St Johns Welling, later changing their name to Lakeside before becoming Phoenix following the Second World War. Having played at various locations in the local area, including Danson Park until 1950, when they took over a piece of waste land in Mayplace Road East, Bexleyheath, which has been developed into the ground that they play at today.

After playing in various local leagues, Phoenix joined the Spartan League in 1986 and have subsequently played in the Kent County League, the Southern Counties East League, and then spent a number of seasons in the Isthmian League’s North Division and South East Division.

Previous Meetings:

During two seasons when Isthmian League North straddled the river Thames, Boro met Phoenix Sports four times. In 2015-16 the teams met twice in the space of a month with both games finishing goal-less. In 2016-17 the first game, at Ship Lane, ended 1-1 with Nick Reynolds scoring for Boro, while the return at Mayplace Road finished 3-1 to Romford with Chinedu McKenzie scoring a hat-trick, one of three he scored that season.

Chinedu McKenzie scores at Phoenix in Boro’s 3-1 win in December 2016. Picture: Kent Sports News

Home Ground and How To Get There:

The full address of the ground is The Christopher Russell Ground, Mayplace Road East, Bexleyheath, Greater London, DA7 6JT. The ground is very close to Danson Park, where Boro recently played Welling Town. By road from Romford, take the QE2 Bridge and leave at the first exit, the A206. Then turn left into Iron Mill Lane, right into Perry Street and then left into Mayplace Road East. Parking is available on roads surrounding the ground.

By public transport, the nearest station is Barnehurst, which is just under a mile away, while Crayford Station is just over a mile away.

Boro conclude their programme of pre-season games on Tuesday 22nd July with an away game against Basildon Town before the Essex Senior League kicks off on Friday 25th July with a trip to West Essex.