At the season’s start, Stanway Rovers were considered by many to be favourites for the league title and so far they have lived up to that billing, losing just twice in their first 28 games. Since their defeat against Boro on the opening Saturday, they have won 20 times, losing just once more, at home against Barking on 22nd February.

They bounced back in their last match, defeating Saffron Walden Town 5-3 to go back to the top of the table, having been temporarily displaced by Woodford Town, on the same day that Romford were losing at home to Frenford.

There were three Essex Senior League games played in midweek and all resulted in away wins. Barking had an emphatic 5-0 win at Benfleet, West Essex won 3-0 at FC Clacton, and White Ensign won 1-0 at Stansted, a result that lifted them above Romford in the league table; Boro are now eighth.

Previous Meetings:

There have been seven previous meetings between Romford and Stanway Rovers, of which Boro have won three and lost four. In league meetings, Boro have won three and lost two of the five games.

The first encounter between the sides was in September 2022 when Boro won 5-1 in an Essex Senior League game played at Mayesbrook Park. The return was won 3-1 by Stanway. Last season Boro were again beaten 3-1 at Stanway, but won the return 1-0 at Rookery Hill thanks to a late goal from Sam Deering. A few weeks later the teams met at Heybridge Swifts’ ground in the Final of the Errington Challenge Cup and with the FA Vase Final just a days away, a much changed Boro side were beaten 4-0.

The opening match of this campaign resulted in an emphatic Romford victory at Mayesbrook Park as Chris Millar, David Oweridu, Elliott Howson, and Sheri Artmeladze scored in a 4-1 win after the visitors had taken an early lead. There was also a game in the Errington Challenge Cup, also played at Mayesbrook Park, which Stanway won 2-1.

This Season:

Stanway have spent most of the season at the top of the table, although they were briefly knocked off their perch by Woodford Town’s win at West Essex last Friday, and would be again after tonight’s Essex Senior League match if Woodford were to beat Benfleet.

Stanway are the league’s leading scorers, having netted 82 times in 28 games and they have scored five or more goals in a game on six occasions, including a remarkable 7-4 win at Sawbridgeworth Town, an 8-0 win over FC Clacton and 8-1 against West Essex. They have also put five past Hullbridge Sports, Buckhurst Hill, and Saffron Walden Town. At home they have won eleven of their fifteen matches with only Barking leaving The FND & KMCO Community Stadium with maximum points. Leading scorer for Stanway is George Okoye, who has 21 goals to his name.

In cup competitions they had an FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round win over Maldon & Tiptree (in a replay), before losing at Tilbury, and fell at the first hurdle in the FA Vase, beaten on penalties by Colney Heath. After beating Boro in the Errington Challenge Cup, they were eliminated by Saffron Walden Town (on penalties), while in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy went out in the First Round, beaten 3-2 at Hullbridge Sports.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

The full address of the ground is The FND & KMCO Community Stadium, 50 New Farm Road, Stanway, Colchester CO3 0PG.

By road, take the A12 and leave at Junction 26. Then take the third exit from the roundabout onto Essex Yeomanry Way. At the next roundabout take the second exit onto London Road. At the first mini roundabout turn right into Villa Road the take first left into Chapel Road. Turn left into New Farm Road, and the ground is 500 yards on the left.

By public transport, the nearest station is Marks Tey. For anyone travelling to the game by train, the good news is that Greater Anglia have no engineering work planned this weekend. The ground is approximately 3 miles from the station and there are buses that run from there to within a short walk of the ground.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 7th March:
7.45pm Woodford Town v Benfleet

Saturday 8th March:
Athletic Newham v Saffron Walden Town
3pm Barking v FC Clacton
3pm Great Wakering Rovers v West Essex
3pm Halstead Town v White Ensign
3pm Ilford v Takeley
3pm Little Oakley v Buckhurst Hill
3pm Sawbridgeworth Town v Frenford
3pm Stansted v Hullbridge Sports
3pm Stanway Rovers v Romford

Next up for Boro:

There’s another trip up the A12 on Tuesday evening as Boro go to FC Clacton for a fourth attempt to play that particular game. The weather has been kinder of late, giving this fixture a better than even chance of going ahead.

Before then – tonight in fact – Romford’s U14 EJA side are in action with a rare game under lights against Canvey Island at Park Lane, home of Canvey Island FC.