Tomorrow’s opponents for Romford at Mayesbrook Park are Halstead Town, whom Boro have already met twice this season. In the league game at Halstead last November a goal from Christian Adu Gyamfi gave Boro the lead shortly after half-time, but the game ended 1-1 as the hosts levelled just after the hour mark.

When the teams met at Mayesbrook Park in the Errington Challenge Cup in January however, the visitors raced into a 4-0 lead within 45 minutes and got one more before Lewis Browne scored a consolation as The Humbugs won 5-1. Since that last meeting, Halstead have progressed further in the Errington Challenge Cup having beaten Woodford Town on penalties in their Quarter Final tie this week.

Halstead are currently ninth in the table with 46 points from 30 games while Boro remain too close to the relegation zone for comfort after last Saturday’s narrow loss at Basildon United, having 27 points from 31 games and sitting 17th in the league. Romford’s cause was helped in midweek however, as Ilford despatched Athletic Newham 5-1 leaving Newham still two points behind Boro in the table.

Romford have added to their squad this week with the signings of goalkeeper Lee Haylock, who joins from Frenford, and Waltham Abbey forward Ibitayo Oyebola and will be looking for a first win since the 2-0 victory at White Ensign in January.

Previous Meetings:

Six of the first seven meetings between Boro and The Humbugs were played at Halstead in a variety of cup competitions with Romford beaten in the only game not played at there, which was a 1-1 draw in an FA Cup tie that took place at Sungate in 1996. Romford’s first win over Halstead came in an Essex Senior League game played at Mayesbrook Park in 2022 some 18 years after the last game between the sides and in which Boro came out on top 3-1.

Halstead have had the whip hand in recent fixtures with Romford’s only win in the last six encounters being the 2024 Errington Challenge Cup tie played at Rosemary Lane which Boro won 5-2 en route to the Final of that year’s competition in which Boro lost to Stanway Rovers.

Overall, Romford’s record in 18 games against Halstead Town played is won 5, drawn 3, and lost 10, while in Essex Senior League games, seven games have seen Romford win just twice with two drawn and three resulting in wins for The Humbugs. Boro’s only two league wins over Halstead both came in the 2022-23 season, 3-1 at Mayesbrook Park and 2-1 at Halstead.

Last season Halstead completed the double over Boro, winning both games 2-1 and they have now won the last five meetings between the teams

Current Form:

Halstead’s last six league games have seen them earn 10 points. In that run they have beaten Frenford, Hullbridge Sports, and they won 3-1 at Sporting Bengal United last Saturday. They have drawn with Athletic Newham and lost at Little Oakley and at home to a resurgent West Essex side.

On the road this season, Halstead have mustered five wins and two draws but have been beaten seven times.

Leading the goalscoring charts for Halstead this season is Kane Gilbert, who has 13 goals closely followed by Joel Older who has 11.

Match Sponsors:

Tomorrow’s match sponsors are Steve, Gary, Rob, and Bradley Frost, aka The Frostys, and the club are very grateful for their support.

Tomorrow’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

3pm Athletic Newham v Saffron Walden Town
3pm Frenford v Soul Tower Hamlets
3pm Great Wakering Rovers v Hullbridge Sports
3pm Hackney Wick v Little Oakley
3pm Harwich & Parkeston v Barking
3pm Ilford v Basildon United
3pm Romford v Halstead Town
3pm Sporting Bengal United v Benfleet
3pm West Essex v Buckhurst Hill
3pm Woodford Town v White Ensign