There were contrasting fortunes for the two teams in the FA Cup last weekend. Boro were pipped 1-0 at Stanway Rovers, but there was cup success for Sports, who beat a much changed Basildon United side 3-1 to progress to the Preliminary Round where they will be away to Brightlingsea Regent.

While Boro have won one and lost one of the opening two Essex Senior League matches so far this season, Hullbridge have yet to pick up so much as a point. On the opening day of the season they lost 4-0 at Saffron Walden Town and in their first home game were beaten 4-1 by Little Oakley.

Brief History of Hullbridge Sports:

The club was established in 1945 as Hullbridge United and were renamed Hullbridge Sports in 1953. They originally played on a pitch on land at on the junction of Pooles Lane and Long Lane before acquiring a plot of land on Lower Road from Rochford District Council, with the new ground opening in 1980. At this time the club played in the Essex Intermediate League but joined the Essex Senior League in 1990, finishing twelfth in their first season.

In 2019 Hullbridge were champions of the Essex Senior League, finishing five points clear of runners-up Stansted. Their first ever season at Step 4 was curtailed due to covid, as was their second. They finished 16th in 2021-22 (the year that Boro were relegated) but finished bottom in 2022-23 to return to the Essex Senior League. Their two seasons back in the ESL have seen them finish twelfth and eighteenth.

In addition to the Essex Senior League title that they won in 2019, Hullbridge won the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy in 2014.

Previous Meetings:

In 35 previous meetings between the teams, Romford have come out as winners 23 times, losing just seven. One of those defeats came at Mayesbrook Park when Boro in the middle of a run of inconsistent results. Sports won 2-1 with Boro’s goal scored by Sheri Artmeladze. The match at Hullbridge last season ended in a 3-3 draw after goals from Praise Ogbebor, Arnold Mengi, and Ken Feyi had given Boro a 3-0 lead that was pegged back by the hosts and with Boro defender Derek Feyi sent off.

Romford’s best win over Hullbridge came in 1995 when Kevin Rendell netted four in a 9-0 win at Rush Green Road.

This week’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Tuesday 5th August:
7.45pm Benfleet v Sporting Bengal United
7.45pm Frenford v Buckhurst Hill
7.45pm Great Wakering Rovers v Basildon United
7.45pm Halstead Town v White Ensign

FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round Replays:
7.45pm Benfleet v Leighton Town
7.45pm Frenford v Witham Town
7.45pm Harlow Town v Saffron Walden Town
7.45pm Little Oakley v Baldock Town

Wednesday 6th August:
7.45pm Hackney Wick v Barking
7.45pm Ilford v West Essex
7.45pm Romford v Hullbridge Sports

FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round Replay:
7.45pm Sporting Bengal United v Erith Town

BBC Essex Senior Cup:

In the draw for the First Round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup, which was made last Friday, Boro have been drawn away to Clapton CFC. This game has been arranged for Tuesday 26th August.