Contrary to what many in the mainstream media believe, the FA Cup does not start in January, it starts this weekend, with the Extra-Preliminary Round, and there are nine ties this evening, including one involving an Essex Senior League side as Stansted entertain Hadley of the Southern League Central Division.

320 clubs from Step 5 and 96 from Step 4 will be taking part in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round this season. Last season it was just 21 clubs from Step 4 who started at this stage, while in 2019-20 it was a mere 16. There are a total of 735 clubs competing in this season’s competition, and while none of those playing this weekend will make it to Wembley, it remains the most prestigious competition that any will take part in, and the most eagerly anticipated.

Romford’s opponents tomorrow are fellow Essex Senior League side Saffron Walden Town in what will be the first ever FA Cup tie between the teams, and the first competitive match between the sides since 2008 when Boro travelled to Saffron Walden for an Essex Senior Cup tie. That game ended 1-1 after extra-time, and Romford won 5-4 on penalties. Of the three other competitive fixtures between Romford and The Bloods, the first, in 1994, was also an Essex Senior Cup tie, and on that occasion Boro were beaten 3-1 at Catons Lane. Romford then met Saffron Walden Town in Essex Senior League fixtures during the 2002-03 season, winning 2-1 away, and 5-1 at home.

The most recent game between the sides was a friendly in August 2020 which Romford won 1-0, while Boro also won the friendly played at Ship Lane in 2014.

Brief History:

The club were established as Saffron Walden in 1872 and are the oldest senior football club in Essex. They were founder members of the Essex County FA in 1882.

The Town suffix was added to the club’s name in 1967, and in 1971 they left the Herts County League to become one of the founder members of the Essex Senior League. In 1974 they were ESL Champions, and the following season moved across to the Eastern Counties League, where they spent 10 seasons, winning the league in 1983.

The Bloods took up membership of the expanded Isthmian League in 1984, joining the Second Division North, and they remained at that level until 1996, when they rejoined the Essex Senior League. In 2003 they applied to be transferred to the Eastern Counties League, and when their request was denied, took the bold step of resigning from the Essex Senior League and spending a season playing only friendlies before taking up their place in the Eastern Counties League for 2004-05.

In 2018 they once again transferred to the Essex Senior League where, in the only two seasons completed as a result of covid, they have finished fourth and second.

Last Season:

Saffron Walden were runners-up in the ESL last season, finishing nine points behind champions Walthamstow. Their second place earned them a play-off against Isthmian League North side Witham Town for a spot at Step 4, but Witham ran out 3-0 winners to keep Saffron Walden at Step 5.

In the FA Cup, a 7-0 win at Biggleswade United in the Extra-Preliminary Round was followed by a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Hadley.

This season:

Saffron Walden played seven games in pre-season, winning four and drawing two; their only defeat came at the hands of Chelmsford City. They opened their Essex Senior League campaign with a 2-1 home win over Clapton last Saturday.

In the event that the scores are level after 90 minutes on Saturday, extra-time will not be played and there will be a replay at Catons Lane, home of Saffron Walden Town FC on Tuesday, 9th August, kick-off 7.45pm.

The winners of this tie will receive £1,125 from the prize fund and will then be at home to either Redbridge or Takeley in the Preliminary Round on Saturday 20th August. The losers will receive £375.