Romford face new opponents tomorrow evening when newly promoted Hackney Wick come to Mayesbrook Park off the back of a creditable 2-2 at Great Wakering Rovers last Saturday.

There have been contrasting fortunes in the Romford’s last two outings with the excellent 4-1 win at Buckhurst Hill followed by a disappointing defeat at Benfleet and with just one point won at home in four outings, Boro will be looking to pick up the first home win of the season against a side that has made a decent start to life at Step 5.

Brief History of Hackney Wick FC:

Hackney Wick FC were formed in 1995 as Bari FC and played in the South Essex Football League until 1998, subsequently playing in the Asian League and the Essex Corinthian Sunday Football League.

Having changed their name to London Bari FC, the club joined the Essex Senior League in 2013 and in their first season finished a respectable tenth. The following season they finished bottom of the table and in their four seasons in the league, their best finish was eighth in 2016.

In 2017, London Bari merged with Hackney Wick, then a Middlesex County League side and took Bari’s place in the ESL. They finished bottom in 2017-18 and were relegated to the Thurlow Nunn League Division One South but after seven seasons at Step 6, won promotion at the end of last season when, having finished as runners-up to Harlow Town, they beat Hutton and Rayleigh Town to clinch promotion through the Play-Offs. They also picked up silverware in the form of the League Cup in which they beat Harlow Town in the Final.

Previous Meetings:

There have been no previous meetings between Romford and either Bari, London Bari, or Hackney Wick.

This Season:

The Wickers are currently eighth in the Essex Senior League table with 11 points from 8 games and are unbeaten on their travels, having won at Hullbridge Sports and Ilford, and drawn at Sporting Bengal United and Great Wakering Rovers. At home they have beaten Frenford, but lost against Woodford Town (on their Essex Senior League debut), Barking, and SOUL Tower Hamlets.

The FA Cup saw Hackney reach the Second Qualifying Round after wins over Bearsted, Bognor Regis Town, and Knaphill before they exited at the hands of Southern League - Premier Central side Leiston. A 7-1 win at Wormley Rovers saw them advance in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round before they were beaten 3-0 at Saffron Walden Town.

Leading scorer for Hackney Wick so far this season is Issa Sidibe who has 10 goals to his name.

This week’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Tuesday 7th October:
7.45pm Barking v Frenford
7.45pm Basildon United v Soul Tower Hamlets
7.45pm Halstead Town v Woodford Town

Wednesday 8th October:
7.45pm Romford v Hackney Wick