Romford’s visitors to Mayesbrook Park tomorrow are Ilford, who are having their best season for some years and are currently fifth in the Essex Senior League table. Boro will be hoping it is third time lucky tomorrow as in two previous meetings between the teams this season, The Foxes have twice come out on top, in each case with a 2-0 scoreline.

When the teams met at Cricklefields in an FA Vase tie back in August, Boro barely laid a glove on Ilford who scored in each half, albeit that their second was deep into stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes. Romford returned to Cricklefields for an Essex Senior League game in November for what was Dan Brown’s first game in charge and again a goal in each half gave The Foxes a win.

Last Saturday, while Boro were kicking their heels after the game against Sporting Bengal United at Mile End Stadium was postponed, Ilford were on the road to Halstead Town and they came back with maximum points having won 3-1 with their third goal scored by former Boro man Greg Akpele. Ilford were due to visit SOUL Tower Hamlets on Wednesday evening, but rain put paid to that as the pitch at Mile End Stadium was waterlogged.

Previous Meetings:

All but three of the previous meetings between Romford and Ilford since 1992 have been either Essex Senior League or Isthmian League encounters and of the 22 matches played, honours even; Romford have won nine and lost nine with four drawn.

As mentioned above, Ilford have already beaten Romford twice this season, but prior to that, Boro had won three and drawn one of the previous four matches. Last season Boro were 3-1 winners away from home in a game played at Redbridge’s Oakside ground with Aundre Spence, Ken Feyi, and Kalum Bama scoring the goals, while Derek Feyi was on target for Boro in the return game that finished 1-1.

In 2023-24, Romford’s first game of the short-lived tenure at Rookery Hill was against Ilford and ended 2-1 to Boro thanks to goals from Charlie Morris and Junior Luke, while the return match – which was played at Mayesbrook Park – finished 3-2 to Boro. Toheeb Elegushi with a brace, and Sam Deering were the scorers.

Other than the 19 league meetings, Boro have faced Ilford once in each of three different cup competitions, the London Senior Cup (Ilford won 3-0 in 2001), the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy (Boro won 3-0 in 2004), and the FA Vase (Ilford won 2-0 in 2025).

Recent Form:

After losing four of their first seven league games this season, Ilford embarked on an unbeaten run of 13 games before being beaten 2-0 at home by Buckhurst Hill. Included in that run were wins at Woodford Town and at home to Halstead Town, while they also drew 2-2 at Barking after trailing 2-0.

After defeat at home to Buckhurst Hill and having bounced back with a win at Halstead Town last week, Ilford have 39 points from 22 games. They have lost just three times on their travels – at Buckhurst Hill, Great Wakering Rovers, and Little Oakley. That last defeat was on 13th September, since when they are unbeaten in eight games on their travels.

Tomorrow’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

2pm Basildon United v Hullbridge Sports
2pm Benfleet v Hackney Wick
3pm Buckhurst Hill v White Ensign
3pm Frenford v Barking
3pm Great Wakering Rovers v Athletic Newham
3pm Little Oakley v Halstead Town
3pm Romford v Ilford
3pm Saffron Walden Town v Woodford Town
3pm Soul Tower Hamlets v Harwich & Parkeston
2pm West Essex v Sporting Bengal United