Romford have an early opportunity to bounce back from the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Redbridge with the visit of Takeley to Mayesbrook Park tomorrow evening.

Takeley are in their fifteen season in the Essex Senior League, having joined from the Essex Olympian League in 2008-09, which coincidentally, was Boro’s last season in the ESL prior to this campaign.

Brief History:

Formed in 1903, Takeley joined the Essex Olympian League in 1978. In 1988, Takeley were champions of the Essex Intermediate League (which the Essex Olympian League had become), a feat that they repeated in 2002. In their debut Essex Senior League season they were for a while serious rivals to Romford as Boro won the title. Takeley eventually finished third, and did so again in 2012 and 2013.

Previous Meetings:

Romford and Takeley have met four times, all during the 2008-09 season, twice in the Essex Senior League, and twice in the Essex Senior League Cup, with Boro winning twice and drawing once. The first meeting was a league game at Takeley, where Paul Kavanagh and Paul Clayton scored for Boro in a 2-2 draw. The return, at Aveley, ended 4-0 to Boro in front of the best gate of the season, 149.

In the Essex Senior League Cup group games, Boro won 2-1 at home, but were trounced 6-1 at Takeley, who won the group; Boro qualified as runners-up.

Last Season:

Tenth place for Takeley last season after having finished in the top five in the three previous, completed, seasons. Leading scorer for Takeley last season was former Romford player, Elliott Long, who netted 16 times.

This season:

Takeley began their league campaign with a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Athletic Newham, and in their second league game, also at home last Saturday, they were beaten 2-1.

In between those two league defeats, they met Redbridge at Oakside in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round and came away with a 2-1 victory, setting up their second visit to Mayesbrook Park when they return next Sunday to play Boro in the Preliminary Round.

This week’s Essex Senior League result and fixtures:

Monday 15th August:
Ilford 2, Barking 0

Tuesday 16th August:
Clapton vs. Woodford Town
Enfield vs. Athletic Newham – Postponed due to Athletic Newham’s FA Cup replay against Sheppey United
FC Clacton vs. Buckhurst Hill
Little Oakley vs. Halstead Town
Redbridge vs. Stanway Rovers
Saffron Walden Town vs. Southend Manor
Sawbridgeworth Town vs. White Ensign
West Essex vs. Stansted

Wednesday 17th August:
Clapton vs Woodford Town