For the second time in three weeks, Romford visit Burroughs Park tomorrow. Having lost 2-0 there against Great Wakering Rovers a couple of Saturdays back, Boro next face Rovers’ tenants White Ensign in the penultimate league game of the season.

Tomorrow’s game will be White Ensign’s first at home in the league since 1st March; their last eight league games have all been away.

Last weekend saw Boro lose 3-1 at home to Barking while White Ensign won 1-0 at Hullbridge Sports, a result that keeps Ensign in seventh place – they have 54 points from 36 games – and pushes Hullbridge perilously close to the relegation zone, although an improbable swing in goal difference would be needed to see Sports demoted even if results don’t go their way.

Previous Meetings:

Previous games between the teams have largely gone White Ensign’s way as they have won four of the previous six meetings with Romford winning just one and one drawn. The first ever game between the sides was an Essex Senior League encounter at Mayesbrook Park that Ensign won 4-1 in November 2022 and they did the double by winning the return 1-0 at Burroughs Park. Boro also lost 2-1 in an Errington Challenge Cup tie at the same venue.

Last season’s games were better for Boro. Having trailed 2-0 after half an hour in the league game at Burroughs Park, goals from Hassan Nalbant and Kris Newby rescued a point from a 2-2 draw and in the return at Rookery Hill, Boro came from behind to win 2-1 through goals by Finlay Dorrell and Jacob Wiggins.

The league encounter at Mayesbrook Park back in November saw Boro keeper Harry Girling sent off with Andy Morris taking over between the sticks. Ken Feyi’s penalty on the hour proved to be no more than a consolation for Romford as Ensign won 3-1.

This Season & Current Form:

White Ensign began the season with a run of five games without defeat and were at one point, fourth in the table before they lost four on the trot, including in games against Woodford Town and Stanway Rovers. Ensign have netted 61 goals in Essex Senior League matches with 14 coming in two games – they beat both Stansted and FC Clacton 7-0 – but none of their scorers have reached double figures; Jon Evans has 8 goals, and Robbie Allen has 7.

In the FA Cup, Ensign won 3-1 at Potton United in the Extra-Preliminary Round before losing at home to Brantham Athletic by the same score. The FA Vase saw them reach the Fourth Round. Having beaten Kempston Rovers 2-1 away, they then defeated West Essex 2-0 at Burroughs Park before losing on penalties at home against Erith & Belvedere.

Wins over Hullbridge Sports and Woodford Town saw Ensign reach the Semi-Final of the Errington Challenge Cup in which they were beaten at by against Little Oakley on Wednesday evening. In the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy, they were also beaten by Little Oakley – on penalties - in the Preliminary Round.

White Ensign have won two and lost four of their last six league games, having been victorious at Ilford and Hullbridge, but losing to Takeley, Great Wakering Rovers, Buckhurst Hill, and Benfleet.

Home Ground and How To Get There:

As mentioned above, White Ensign play their home games at Great Wakering Rovers’ ground at Burroughs Park, where Romford played just a fortnight ago. As a reminder, the full address of the ground is Burroughs Park, Little Wakering Hall Lane, Great Wakering, Essex, SS3 0HH.

Admission Prices:
Adults £10
Concessions £6
Children £2

Programmes are online only

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 18th April:
7.45pm Woodford Town v Hullbridge Sports

Saturday 19th April:
3pm Barking v Great Wakering Rovers
3pm Benfleet v Saffron Walden Town
3pm Buckhurst Hill v Frenford
3pm FC Clacton v Takeley
3pm Little Oakley v Halstead Town
3pm Sawbridgeworth Town v West Essex
3pm Stansted v Ilford
3pm Stanway Rovers v Athletic Newham
3pm White Ensign v Romford