It’s been a season of ups and downs: There was a sensational start with a 4-1 win over title favourites - and eventual champions - Stanway Rovers, and just one defeat in the opening twelve league games. When Boro visited Buckhurst Hill on the last Saturday before Christmas, the team were sixth in table with 37 points from 19 games and unbeaten away from home. A 3-0 defeat at Myrak Park proved to be something of a turning point however, as since then Boro have won just three league games and picked up only eleven points.

There was another defeat for Boro last Saturday, 3-0 at White Ensign, while Buckhurst Hill were at home to Frenford, and won 2-0. With 50 points from 37 fixtures, Buckhurst Hill are currently ninth in the table, one place and two points ahead of Boro.

Previous Meetings:

Honours are even in previous meetings between Romford and Buckhurst Hill with three wins apiece in all competitions. Buckhurst Hill have won three of the five previous Essex Senior League encounters, including the last two. Last season’s games ended with a 1-0 win for Boro at Mayesbrook Park and a 1-0 win for Buckhurst Hill at Myrak Park.

Aside from the league games, there was also a Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy tie at Mayesbrook Park between the clubs in 2023 which Boro won 5-1.

Current Form:

Buckhurst Hill are fourth in the latest current form table with four wins and a draw from their last six matches; their only defeat in that run was a 2-0 defeat at West Essex. Among their wins there was an impressive 2-1 victory over Woodford Town, with other wins coming against Saffron Walden Town, White Ensign, and Frenford.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Saturday 26th April:

3pm Benfleet v Hullbridge Sports
3pm FC Clacton v Athletic Newham
3pm Halstead Town v Frenford
3pm Ilford v West Essex
3pm Romford v Buckhurst Hill
3pm Saffron Walden Town v Little Oakley
3pm Stansted v Great Wakering Rovers
3pm Takeley v Stanway Rovers
3pm White Ensign v Sawbridgeworth Town
3pm Woodford Town v Barking

The league title has already been decided with Stanway Rovers crowned champions; the teams that will contest the Play-Offs has also been settled with Takeley and Woodford Town guaranteed home games in the Semi-Finals. Great Wakering Rovers and Barking make up the Play-Off quartet, but who plays who will depend upon the outcome of tomorrow’s games in which Great Wakering would clinch fourth spot if they can better or at least equal Barking’s result.

Both Play-Off Semi-Finals will take place on Wednesday 30th April and the Final will be played on Saturday 3rd May.