After a run of four cup matches in various competitions, including Tuesday night’s FA Cup replay win at Baldock Town, Romford make a brief return to Essex Senior League action tomorrow when Benfleet come to Mayesbrook Park.

As he had in the first game, Flynn Hamilton came off the bench to score in the replay at Baldock and having provided the late equaliser last Saturday, his goal on Tuesday put Romford into the First Qualifying Round for the first time since 2022 and earns a trip to Norfolk to play Thurlow Nunn Premier League side Harleston Town.

Tomorrow’s game is only an interlude between cup ties however, as the following three games are due to be in FA Cup, FA Vase, and Essex Senior Cup, against Harleston Town, Burnham Ramblers, and Rayleigh Town respectively.

Like Boro, Benfleet have played only two league games so far this season. They started with a 1-0 home win over Halstead Town on the opening day, but lost their second league fixture 2-1 at home to West Essex. Their two cup outings have also ended in defeats as they lost 3-0 at Clapton Community in the FA Cup, and in the BBC Essex Senior Cup they were beaten on penalties at home by Southend Manor. Having reached the Fourth Round of the FA Vase last season, they are exempt until the Second Round this year.

Previous Meetings:

There have been four previous meetings between Romford and Benfleet and honours are even so far with one win each and two drawn matches.

The very first game provided Romford with their only win to date as Andy Morris and Reece McGovern scored the goals in a 2-0 win at Mayesbrook Park. The return game at Benfleet ended 3-3 as Romford came from three down at half-time to salvage a point thanks to goals from Jordan Burnett, Blaise Uwandji, and Jayden Silcott-Brown.

Lasts season’s game at Benfleet gave them their first win over Boro as they romped home 5-0. The return game at Mayesbrook Park finished 1-1 with Christian Adu Gyamfi giving Boro an early lead (pictured below by Bob Knightley) only for the visitors to equalise just before the break.

Last Season:

Last season was Benfleet’s second in the Essex Senior League following their promotion from the Thurlow Nunn League, and they improved on the 16th place they registered in their debut campaign by finishing in 9th place despite the distraction of an excellent run in the FA Vase in which they beat Barking, West Essex, Walsham le Willows, and Dereham Town before losing at home to Punjab United in the last 32.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 28th August:
7.45pm Woodford Town v Barking

Saturday 29th August:
3pm Clapton Community v Hutton
3pm Frenford v Basildon United
3pm Halstead Town v Sporting Bengal United
3pm Harwich & Parkeston v Hackney Wick
3pm Ilford v Heybridge Swifts
3pm Romford v Benfleet
3pm Soul Tower Hamlets v Saffron Walden Town
3pm White Ensign v Hullbridge Sports