The FA Cup, the oldest football competition in the world, kicks off tomorrow and while it may have lost its lustre in certain sections of the game, it is still as important as it ever was for the non-League sides among the 732 clubs who will take part this season.

Tomorrow’s Extra-Preliminary Round tie sees Romford travel to Halstead Town, which was where last season finished with Boro winning 2-1 at Rosemary Lane thanks to goals from Camilo Restrepo and Finlay Dorrell after the home side had taken an early lead.

Michael Turner wins a header in last season’s league game at Halstead while Jacob Wiggins remains earthbound. Picture: Alan Blackholly.

Last season Boro had a memorable FA Cup run, beating Saffron Walden Town, Takeley, Hashtag United, and most notably, Isthmian Premier side Potters Bar Town 2-1 on their own patch before bowing out at the hands of old friends and traditional rivals, Chelmsford City. Halstead Town meanwhile were beaten in the Extra-Preliminary Round, 3-0 at Leverstock Green.

Previous Meetings:

Romford and Halstead Town have met in the FA Cup before. Back in 1996, in an FA Cup tie played at Sungate in front of a crowd of 356, the sides drew 1-1 with both goals coming from penalties; Terry Beck to give Boro a brief lead before the visitors equalised. Halstead won the replay 4-0. That drawn tie in 1996 was the best that Romford managed in the first seven matches between the teams, but Boro finally got the better of The Humbugs last season, winning all three meetings.

Romford’s first win came in an Essex Senior League game at Mayesbrook Park in November 2022. Tambeson Eyong, Camilo Restrepo, and Lewis Smith scored as it ended 3-1. In a Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy tie in February this year, goals from Camilo Restrepo, Eman Robe, and Kris Newby (from the penalty spot) earned a 3-2 win in Boro’s first ever victory at Rosemary Lane at the seventh time of asking.

In all, Romford have met Halstead Town 10 times over the years and have won 3, drawn 1, and lost 6 times.

This Season:

Like Romford, Halstead Town have made an unbeaten start to their league programme. In their opening game last Saturday, they went to Ilford and won 3-1 and on Tuesday they drew 0-0 at home against Little Oakley, which attracted the league’s highest attendance so far this season, of 254.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

Halstead’s home ground is Milbank Stadium, Rosemary Lane, Broton Industrial Estate, Halstead, CO9 1HR. At 44 miles from Romford, it’s about an hour’s drive.

Take the A12 to junction 19 and the Stansted Airport/Sudbury/Braintree/Chelmsford exit and follow the road onto Essex Regiment Way. At Sheepcotes Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Braintree Road (A131). At Panners Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A120 slip road to Halstead, and at Marks Farm Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A131. Follow the A131 into Halstead and turn left into Butler Road, just after the Esso Petrol Station. Turn right into Chapel Street, then left into Rosemary Lane. Parking is available at the ground, but there is also a public car park in Butler Road.

By public transport, it’s not the easiest of journeys, with Colchester Town probably the best station to travel to, and from where the number 88 bus goes to Halstead.

There is a coach for this fixture, and if you have booked your place, please be at Play Football on the Eastern Avenue in Romford for a 12.15pm or at Brentwood about fifteen minutes later.

Admission Prices:

Adults £7
Concessions £3
Under 14s Free

There will be a minute’s silence prior to kick-off tomorrow as a mark of respect to Halstead Town Club President Michael Gage who died earlier this week.

There are 732 teams taking part in this season’s FA Cup and here, courtesy of @FACupFactFile, are their badges. Romford’s is fifteenth from the left in the fifteenth row down.

There are seventeen FA Cup matches involving Essex Senior League sides this weekend, including three all ESL ties. The fixtures are:

Friday 4th August:
Woodford Town v Hertford Town

Saturday 5th August:
Woodford Town v Hertford Town
Athletic Newham v Tooting & Micham United
Buckhurst Hill v Brantham Athletic
Cockfosters v Barking
Colney Heath v Ilford
East Thurrock v Frenford
Enfield v Coggeshall Town
FC Clacton v Real Bedford
FC Romania v Tilbury
Halstead Town v Romford
Hullbridge Sports v Takeley
Leverstock Green v White Ensign
Little Oakley v Baldock Town
Saffron Walden Town v Great Wakering Rovers
Sporting Bengal United v Stansfeld
Stanway Rovers v Harpenden Town
West Essex v Crawley Green

The winners of tomorrow’s tie will be at home to Welwyn Garden City on Saturday 19th August and will receive a sum of £1,125 from the competition prize fund, while the losers will receive £375.

Should tomorrow’s game end in a draw after 90 minutes, extra-time will not be played and there will be a replay at Mayesbrook Park on Wednesday. Should Great Wakering Rovers draw their tie at Saffron Walden Town, then our league game at Burroughs Park on Tuesday evening will be rescheduled.