It’s an important game at both ends of the table tomorrow as Romford entertain a Stansted side embroiled in the relegation battle, while for Boro, three points are essential to keep in contention for a Play-Off place.

Defeat to a last minute goal at Woodford Town last week means that Boro are now six points behind fifth place Saffron Walden Town as the season edges towards its finale. Meanwhile, Stansted sit 19th in the table but just one point behind Sawbridgeworth Town over whom they have a game in hand. The bottom two go down this season, and with a seven point cushion between Halstead Town and Sawbo, none of the bottom three can afford to keep dropping points. Equally, Boro must keep winning to avoid the top five pulling away.

Previous Meetings:

Our opponents tomorrow are 13th in the list of teams that Romford have faced most often since Boro reformed in 1992. There have been 32 matches between the teams to date, of which Romford have won 20, Stansted have won 6, and 6 have been drawn. In 25 league games (all in the Essex Senior League), Romford have won 18 and lost just twice. There have been 115 goals in the 32 games played before this game with Romford scoring 74 of them.

There were no games between the sides last season as Stansted were transferred sideways into the Spartan South Midlands League for 2023-24, but in the season in which Romford returned to the Essex Senior League, 2022-23, The Airportmen completed the double, winning 3-1 at their Hargrave Park ground and 3-2 at Mayesbrook Park. In the game at Stansted earlier in the season, Boro took maximum points from a 2-1 win in which Chris Millar and Toheed Elegushi scored.

Recent Form:

While Romford’s form has been mixed of late – four wins and five defeats in the last ten outings – Stansted have lost all but one of their last ten league games. Their only victory during that run came back in October when they beat Frenford 2-1 (Ash Siddik scored what proved to be the winner that evening). The Airportmen have lost all of their last eight league games, including a 2-0 home reverse at the hands of relegation rivals Sawbridgeworth Town.

Last Saturday Stansted were at Takeley and took a fifth minute lead only to concede three goals in the last minute and subsequent added time at the end of the first half, eventually losing 4-1. In goal for Stansted last Saturday was Luis Shamshoum, who played against Boro for Great Wakering Rovers in last May’s FA Vase Final. Also in the Stansted squad last weekend was Charlie Portway, who played six times for Boro during the 2016-17 season.

Overall this season, Stansted have won just three times in the league; apart from that win over Frenford, their only other victories have been against FC Clacton, whom they beat 5-1, and Benfleet, whom they beat 3-1.

Tomorrow’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Athletic Newham v Sawbridgeworth Town
Benfleet v West Essex 2pm
Buckhurst Hill v FC Clacton
Great Wakering Rovers v Woodford Town
Halstead Town v Ilford
Hullbridge Sports v Takeley
Little Oakley v Barking
Romford v Stansted
Saffron Walden Town v White Ensign
Stanway Rovers v Frenford