We can safely say that neither Romford nor Barton Rovers will feature in the FA Cup Final come next May, but the road that ultimately leads to Wembley starts tomorrow, and for the second season running, Boro have been drawn against Step 4 opposition in the Extra-Preliminary Round. Last season Romford were drawn away to Stanway Rovers, newly promoted to the Isthmian League, and were beaten only by a single, late goal at The Hawthorns. This time round, Romford’s opponents are Barton Rovers of the Southern League Central Division with tomorrow’s tie being played at Mayesbrook Park with a 3pm kick-off.

If tomorrow’s game ends with the scores level after 90 minutes then there will be a replay at Barton’s Sharpenhoe Road ground on Tuesday, which would mean the postponement of the scheduled Essex Senior League game against Woodford Town, who are away to Biggleswade United in the FA Cup tomorrow, where a draw would also see our game against The Woods having to be rescheduled. The prize money at stake in the Extra-Preliminary Round is £1,125 for winning clubs and £375 for losers. The winners of tomorrow’s tie will be at home to either Baldock Town or Kempston Rovers in the First Qualifying Round on Saturday 22nd August.

Brief History of Barton Rovers FC
Formed in 1898, Barton Rovers played inter-village football for the first 50 years until 1946 when they reformed and joined the Luton & District League. They joined the South Midlands League in 1954, winning Division Two at the first attempt. After gaining promotion to the Premier Division in 1964/65 the club was never out of the top three until leaving the league in 1979, winning the title in eight seasons out of nine between 1971 and 1979.

In 1976 Rovers entered the FA Vase for the first time and reached the last eight before losing to Farnborough Town. The following year they made it to the Semi-Finals and in 1978 they got as far as the Final, in which they lost 2-1 to Blue Star of Newcastle. In 1979 Barton were promoted to the Isthmian League Division Two and were subsequently promoted to Division One in 1995. After 25 years in the Isthmian League, the club was transferred to the Southern League in 2004 and have remained members of that league ever since.

Previous Meetings:
Romford have played Barton Rovers thirteen times over the years with Boro winning just twice and with three games drawn. Ten of those matches were Isthmian League fixtures with the other three coming in the Isthmian League Cup, Full Members Cup, and the FA Cup, which was the most recent meeting between the side, in 2019.

The first match between Romford and Barton Rovers was in 1997 when a crowd of 163 at Sungate watched Boro win a Ryman League Division One game 6-1 with Wade Falana scoring a hat-trick. The reverse fixture saw Boro gain their only other win over Rovers with a 4-2 success at Sharpenhoe Road, since when the best that Boro have been able to muster has been draws in three other Isthmian League games.

The most recent game between the sides came in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round in 2019 after Boro had won their previous match in the competition 2-0 at Harwich & Parkeston. The tie at Sharpenhoe Road saw the home side win 4-0, a defeat that Boro boss Paul Martin described as “embarrassing.”

Last Season:
Barton Rovers finished in ninth place in the Southern League Central Division lasts season, missing out on a place in the Play-Offs only on goal difference. In the FA Cup they beat Brantham Athletic 2-0 in the Preliminary Round before exiting in the First Qualifying Round, 4-1 at Billericay Town. They had no more success in the FA Trophy, losing at Brightlingsea Regent in the Preliminary Round.

This weekend’s FA Cup ties involving Essex Senior League clubs:

Friday 7th August:
7.45pm Hackney Wick v West Essex

Saturday 8th August:
3pm Biggleswade United v Woodford Town
3pm Buckhurst Hill v Barking
3pm Clapton Community v Benfleet
3pm Great Wakering Rovers v Takeley
3pm Haringey Borough v Sporting Bengal United
3pm Harlow Town v Frenford
3pm Haverhill Rovers v Halstead Town
3pm Hendon v SOUL Tower Hamlets
3pm Ilford v Dunstable
3pm Northwood v Hutton
3pm Romford v Barton Rovers
3pm Stotford v Basildon United
3pm White Ensign v Heybridge Swifts
3pm Wisbech Town v Saffron Walden Town