After an inconsistent pre-season, Romford kick off their Essex Senior League campaign tomorrow evening with a trip to E17 to play West Essex. One other ESL game is being played tomorrow night, and in that one, White Ensign play hosts to SOUL Tower Hamlets.

Like Boro, tomorrow’s opponents tomorrow had a mixed pre-season. While they beat Wormley Rovers 3-0, they were beaten 5-0 by Redbridge and 5-1 by Walthamstow.

Brief History of West Essex FC:

The club was established in 1989 by West Essex Cricket Club member John Spinks to give the cricket club members a winter pastime. They initially played in the Ilford and District Football League, then progressed through the Essex Business Houses League and the Middlesex County League before joining the Essex Senior League in 2016. In their debut season they finished 13th, and the following season (2017-18) achieved their best finish of 7th. Last season they finished 12th, one place below Boro.

Previous Meetings:

Romford have met West Essex on eight occasions since the sides first met in 2022 and the last three occasions on which Boro have travelled to Wadham Lodge, the games have been dramatic. Last season Romford were 3-1 winners against West Essex on their patch despite being reduced to nine men with almost half an hour remaining. Goals by Arnold Mengi and Brendan Ocran had Boro 2-0 up at the break, but in the aftermath of a West Essex penalty that was converted to make it 2-1, goalkeeper Harry Girling was sent off, joining Derek Feyi in the dressing room, the Boro defender having been dismissed ten minutes earlier. Andy Morris went between the posts, but Boro not only held out, but went on to grab a third goal when Arnold Mengi scored ten minutes from time.

The return game was rather more mundane, with Amaree Robinson-Jones scoring the only goal in the fixture at Mayesbrook Park.

In other games between the sides at Wadham Lodge, Boro held on for a 3-2 win in March 2023, having led 3-0 just after the break, but in October 2023 a disastrous last 20 minutes saw Boro concede four goals to end up losing 6-3 and had a man sent-off with Junior Luke dismissed just after half-time.

Overall, Romford’s record against West Essex is six wins and one draw in eight meetings, and just in league games it is four wins and a draw from six matches.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

West Essex play their home games at Wadham Lodge Sports Ground, Kitchener Road, Walthamstow E17 4LL, which many supporters will be familiar with after trips there over the years to play Leyton Pennant and Mauritius Sports as well as West Essex.

By road, it’s about half an hour from Romford, taking the A12 to Gants Hill, then either continue on the A12 or use Woodford Avenue to get to Charlie Brown’s roundabout. Then take the A406 North Circular, leaving at the A112 junction, turning left into Brookscroft Road, then left into Kitchener Road. The ground is on the right and has ample parking. If you follow the Post Code on your Sat Nav and leave the A406 at the A104, there is a barrier in the middle of Brookscroft Road that prevents turning into Kitchener Road, so don’t go that way!

By public transport, two buses will get you to the ground from Romford. Take the 66 or 128 to Gants Hill and then the 123 that goes to Wood Green, alighting at Thorpe Coombe Hospital, from where it is a 10 minute walk. The nearest stations are Wood Street (London Overground) or Walthamstow Central on the Victoria Line, which are 20 minutes to half an hour walk away.

Admission prices are £8 for adults, £5 for concessions, and Under 16s go free.

This weekend’s ESL fixtures:

Friday 25th July:
West Essex v Romford
White Ensign v SOUL Tower Hamlets

Saturday 26th July:
Barking v Basildon United
Benfleet v Frenford
Buckhurst Hill v Ilford
Great Wakering Rovers v Harwich & Parkeston
Hackney Wick v Woodford Town
Halstead Town v Sporting Bengal United
Little Oakley v Athletic Newham
Saffron Walden Town v Hullbridge Sports