For the second season running, Romford start their FA Vase campaign with a First Qualifying Round tie against fellow Essex Senior League side Ilford. Last season at Cricklefields Boro were second best to Ilford and fell at the first hurdle for the second year on the trot after exiting at Takeley in 2024-25. In fact, the last match that Romford won in the FA Vase was – well, I’m sure you remember!

Season tickets are not valid for tomorrow’s game at Mayesbrook Park, which kicks off at the usual time of 7.45pm. The game has been brought forward from Saturday as Barking’s game against Thurlow Nunn First Division South side Marcelona has been switched from Marcelona’s home ground at Burnham Ramblers due to Ramblers also being at home in the Vase; they face AFC Welwyn and the winners of that match will be at home in the Second Qualifying Round to the winners of our game. Admission prices tomorrow are £10 for Adults, £5 for Concessions, and £2 for Under 16s.

If the scores are level after 90 minutes in tomorrow’s game, then penalties will be taken to decide the winner. The winners of tomorrow’s tie will receive £550 from the FA Vase prize fund while the losers get £160.

Previous Meetings:

Ilford won all three encounters between the teams last season and all without Boro getting on the scoresheet. As well as the 2-0 defeat at Cricklefields in the FA Vase, Boro lost in the league by the same score in the league game at the same venue, and 3-0 at home in the return fixture.

Boro’s last win over The Foxes came during the early part of the 2024-25 season when a penalty by Aundre Spencer and further goals by Ken Feyi and Kalum Bala earned a 3-1 win in a game played at Redbridge FC’s ground due to the ongoing issues at Cricklefields that had Ilford playing home games at a variety of grounds for most of the season. The return game that season ended in a 1-1 draw in which Derek Feyi scored his only goal in Romford colours.

There have been 23 games between Romford and Ilford since 1992, with the sides pretty much even overall; Romford have won 9, Ilford have won 10, and there have been 4 drawn matches.

Last Season:

After beating Boro in the FA Vase last season, Ilford recorded a narrow win over May & Baker in the next round, but exited the competition in the First Round Proper when Little Oakley won 1-0 at Cricklefields.

Ilford were on the threshold of a Play-Off place in the Essex Senior League last season, but losing just once in their last 13 league games (on the final Saturday of the season, 3-2 at home to Great Wakering Rovers) they eventually finished one place shy in sixth spot, four points behind Barking.

This Season:

Ilford kicked off their ESL programme with a 2-0 win at Hullbridge Sports, but last Saturday they were knocked out of the FA Cup after losing 2-1 at home against Spartan South Midlands League side Dunstable.

Last night Ilford played their second league fixture, and drew 2-2 at home with Great Wakering Rovers.

This weekend’s FA Vase ties involving Essex Senior League teams:

Friday 14th August:
Romford v Ilford

Saturday 15th August:
Basildon United v Baldock Town
Clapton Community v Long Melford
Enfield Borough v Heybridge Swifts
Hackney Wick v Basildon Town
Harlow Town v Harwich & Parkeston
Marcelona v Barking At Barking
Sporting Bengal United v N W London
West Essex v Hutton
Wivenhoe Town v Frenford