It’s the FA Vase tomorrow with Romford entertaining Thurlow Nunn League Division One North side Hadleigh United at Mayesbrook Park in the First Round Proper. Both sides have won two games to reach this stage, with Hadleigh United having overcome Sawbridgeworth Town and Brantham Athletic while Boro have beaten Ilford and Burnham Ramblers.

After last Saturday’s win over SOUL Tower Hamlets, Romford were brought down to earth in midweek, losing 2-1 at Benfleet with the home side’s winner coming in stoppage time. Boro must put that defeat behind them and look to progress to the Second Round of the FA Vase for the first time since 2023-24, although in 2024-25 Boro started at that stage, but were beaten at Takeley.

As usual with FA Vase ties, there must be a definite result on the day, so if the scores are level after 90 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will take place to determine the winner. Prize money in First Round ties is £825 for winning clubs and £250 for the losers. One last piece of admin, Season Tickets are not valid for tomorrow’s game.

Brief History of Hadleigh United:

Formed in 1892, Hadleigh United played in the Ipswich & District League for many years and were Premier Division champions in 1953–54 and 1956–57, and were champions of what had by now been renamed as the Suffolk & Ipswich League three more times during the 1970s.

In 1991, Hadleigh joined the Eastern Counties League Division One and were champions in 1993-94, but after three seasons in the Premier Division, The Brettsiders were relegated. Runners-up in Division One in 2009, Hadleigh enjoyed 17 seasons back in the Premier Division and were champions in 2013-14 but at the end of last season they were relegated after finishing bottom of the table.

Hadleigh’s best FA Vase performance came during the 2012-13 season when they reached the Quarter Finals before losing 2-0 at Tunbridge Wells. They reached the Fifth Round in the following season, but since then have not managed to progress beyond the First Round, which they reached in 2024-25, beating Boro’s Essex Senior League rivals Woodford Town along the way.

Previous Meetings:

Tomorrow’s game is only the third between the two clubs and both of the previous meetings have been FA Cup ties. The first of these was a First Qualifying Round game played at Rush Green in 1995. A crowd of 245 saw Boro win 1-0 with Micky Ross the scorer.

The second meeting was in a Preliminary Round tie played at Hadleigh’s Millfield ground and once again Boro were the winners, 5-0 this time. The goals came from Tom Richardson (2), Lewis Francis, Robbie Norris, and Abs Seymour.

This Season:

Currently 10th place in the Thurlow Nunn League Division One North with 15 points from 12 games, Hadleigh have won five and lost seven of their opening league games. Last Saturday they beat second placed Halesworth Town 3-2.

In the FA Vase, Hadleigh have reached this stage with a win over Sawbridgeworth Town (4-3 on penalties), and Brantham Athletic, who they beat 4-0 on their own patch.

Leading scorers for Hadleigh this season are Curtis Harvey, who has nine goals, and Rocco Leeks, who has seven.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 9th October:
League:
Woodford Town v Hutton

FA Vase:
West Essex v Rayleigh Town

Saturday 10th October:

League:
Basildon United v Benfleet
Frenford v Halstead Town
Ilford v Sporting Bengal United

FA Vase:
Downham Town v White Ensign
Heybridge Swifts v Hoddesdon Town
Norwich United v Barking
Risborough Rangers v SOUL Tower Hamlets
Romford v Hadleigh United