Following Saturday’s win at Catholic United, Boro face higher ranked opposition for the first time this pre-season as Coggeshall Town come to Mayesbrook Park on Wednesday evening.

The Seedgrowers were one of the few teams that Boro managed to beat in the Isthmian League last season, as goals from Steve Carvell, Jesse Olukolu, and Aundre Wholas-Spencer earned a 3-2 win at West Street back in August 2021 (pictured). The return was at Mayesbrook Park in December, by which time Boro were in the throes of a streak of twelve consecutive defeats; Coggeshall won 4-0.

Coggeshall are now managed by the well known (and in terms of clubs, well-travelled) Cliff Akurang. Among his previous managerial stints, he was boss of Town’s tenants at West Street, Coggeshall United. Akurang was only appointed manager in May, following the departure of joint managers Karl Duguid and Stuart Nethercott, and he has assembled a brand new squad for the coming season as well as recruiting former Boro player L’heureux Menga as one of his coaching staff.

In their four pre-season games played to date, Coggeshall have beaten Essex & Suffolk Border League side White Notley 9-0 and Thurlow Nunn side Brantham Athletic 2-1 – both away – but lost the one home friendly that they have played so far when they were beaten 1-0 by Ipswich Town U23. Last Saturday they played away to Wingate & Finchley and drew 1-1.

With Boro having played on Step 7 opposition to date, this game against a Step 4 side will doubtless prove a stiff challenge for the squad that manager Steve Butterworth is assembling.

Admission Prices on Wednesday are:

Adults: £5
Concessions: £3
Juniors: Free