With one place and three points separating the teams, but with Sporting Bengal having two games in hand, Boro can ill afford to come away from the Mile End Stadium without a positive result tomorrow.

As is usual at this time of year, the weather may intervene, so keep an eye on social media and on this website for news of any pitch inspection.

Both Romford and Sporting Bengal were involved in Errington Challenge Cup action in midweek, and like Boro - beaten at home by Halstead Town - Sporting Bengal also lost on their home turf, in their case to Athletic Newham in a penalty shoot-out after 90 goal-less minutes. Last Saturday, Sporting Bengal picked up all three points in their game at Frenford where they won 1-0. That was Bengal’s first league victory since their 4-2 away win against Athletic Newham at the tail end of September, and which came a week after they had won 3-1 against Boro at Mayesbrook Park.

Previous Meetings:

Tomorrow will be only the fifth ever game between Romford and Sporting Bengal United, and only the second at their home at the Mile End Stadium. Boro’s previous visit was in February 2024 when goals from Remi Sutton and Hassan Nalbant earned a 2-1 win with Bengal’s goal scored by Christian Adu Gyamfi. Earlier in the season, in the first ever meeting between the sides, the points had been shared at Mayesbrook Park in a 3-3 draw in which Michael Turner and Hassan Nalbant, with a brace, were the Romford scorers.

The sides met for a third time that season in the Play-Off Final at Rookery Hill in May 2024 when Sporting Bengal clinched promotion to the Isthmian League with a 3-1 win, which was again the score when Bengal came to Mayesbrook Park earlier this season.

Current Form:

Four of Sporting Bengal’s last six league games have ended in defeat, and all have come at home, against Ilford, Harwich & Parkeston, Saffron Walden Town, and SOUL Tower Hamlets. In addition, Bengal were beaten at home by Basildon United in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy during that run. Apart from their win at Frenford last Saturday, the only other point they have picked up was in a creditable 3-3 draw at Buckhurst Hill, the only points that the Roding Valley club have dropped in their last six outings.

Like Boro, Bengal have struggled at home this season and they have just the one win – against Basildon United back in August, to show for their efforts in nine home matches.

Home Ground and How To Get There:

Sporting Bengal’s home ground is The Mile End Stadium The club give the address as Rhodeswell Road, E14 7TW, and advise that for sat nav directions, "Copperfield Road" brings you closest to the Stadium entrance.

There is a small paid car park near the stadium. The car park closes at 10:30pm on matchdays. Alternatively, there is a larger second car park closer to the leisure centre entrance on Burdett Road. There are no restrictions after 5.30pm on weekdays and all day on Saturday for FREE street parking, but please do check the signs before parking. Please see Sporting Bengal’s website for further information: https://sportingfoundation.com/sporting-bengal/mes/

By public transport, Mile End Station on the Central and District Lines is just over half a mile away. There are no scheduled outages on TfL lines serving Mile End Station this weekend, nor on the Elizabeth Line.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 16th January:

7.45pm Buckhurst Hill v Frenford

Saturday 17th January:
3pm Athletic Newham v Little Oakley
3pm Barking v West Essex
3pm Hackney Wick v Great Wakering Rovers
3pm Halstead Town v Ilford
3pm Harwich & Parkeston v Saffron Walden Town
3pm Hullbridge Sports v Soul Tower Hamlets
3pm Sporting Bengal United v Romford
2pm White Ensign v Basildon Unit