Boro’s next opponents are Tilbury, who come to The Arena tomorrow on the back of some mixed results. Two weeks ago, they were somewhat surprisingly beaten at home by Basildon United, and although they followed this up with a midweek win at Soham Town Rangers, last Saturday they saw Felixstowe & Walton United leave Chadfields with a point following a 1-1 draw.

The Dockers currently sit ninth in the table with 19 points from 13 games, and apart from that win at Soham, have also taken maximum points from their trips to Bury Town and Witham Town.

Romford have met Tilbury on thirty-three occasions since Boro reformed in 1992, twelve of which have resulted in Romford victories, sixteen have been won by Tilbury and five have ended as draws. In league games – Essex Senior League and Isthmian League – Tilbury have a much better record with fourteen wins compared to Romford's eight, and with four drawn.

Last season’s encounters ended with a win apiece; Boro won 2-1 in the home game played at Rookery Hill in the September thanks to goals from Roddy Lemba and Max Bolton, but Tilbury gained revenge on Boxing Day, winning 4-1 with Danny Cossington Romford’s scorer. That win over Tilbury put Boro top of the table, albeit only for a matter of a few days.

Tilbury’s squad this season includes the prolific scorer David Knight, who has scored seven goals in as many games this season following his move from Bowers & Pitsea, where he had already netted four times this campaign to add to the forty-two he netted last season. Also likely to feature are three former Boro players, Harry Aldridge, Ryan Boswell and Ryan Mallett.

Finally, don’t forget to clear out your wardrobes and cupboards and bring along any old clothes and shoes as there will be a collection of these things which will be donated to the homeless.