Boro’s pre-season against Cockfosters game has been brought forward to tomorrow night, Tuesday 14th July, to avoid a clash with the England v Argentina World Cup Semi-Final being played on Wednesday. Please note that tomorrow’s game kicks off at 7.45pm

Romford kicked off pre-season with a defeat at the hands of a young Southend United side that saw Boro have 12 shots at goal, 6 of which were on target, although none found the net. It was a good workout for the new squad that manager Darren Manning has assembled.

Cockfosters reached the Final of the FA Vase last season, in which they suffered the heartbreak of defeat in a penalty shoot-out against AFC Stoneham. Subsequent to that defeat, manager Gavin Kelsey moved on to Welwyn Garden City and Terry Spillane was appointed in his stead. Among Spillane’s signings at Cockfosters for the coming season are former Boro players Jake Anderson and Hassan Nalbant.

Currently members of the Spartan South Midland League Premier Division – in which they finished fourth last season, missing out on promotion after losing in the Play-Off Final – Cockfosters spent three seasons in the Essex Senior League between 2019 and 2022.

There has never been a league match between Romford and Cockfosters, although the teams met in three cup matches between 2004 and 2007 with Boro winning twice and losing once. The most recent meeting was the 2007 FA Vase tie played at Rush Green Road which Boro won 3-1.