Tuesday night’s game at Benfleet was a victim of the weather but there should be no such problem with Romford’s game tomorrow on the 3G surface at the Leisure United facility in Parsloes Park where Boro take on Athletic Newham. While Romford were thwarted by a waterlogged pitch in midweek, Newham were in action in the Quarter Final of the Errington Challenge Cup in which they were beaten 3-0 at Little Oakley.

Newham moved into the new ground at Parsloes Park shortly after the start of this season, having decamped from The Terence MacMillan Stadium where Boro last season won 4-1.

Previous Meetings:

There have been five previous meetings between Romford and Athletic Newham with two of those games ending with a Boro victory. The very first fixture was an Essex Senior League encounter at Mayesbrook Park in February 2023 that ended 2-2. The return fixture was not played having been postponed twice due to a waterlogged pitch at the Terence MacMillan Stadium.

There were three games between the sides last season, all at different venues. At Mayesbrook Park in October 2023, Newham won an Essex Senior Cup tie 5-1 in which the prolific Richard Kone scored three times; Bruno Gomes scored Boro’s solitary goal. Richard Kone has since moved on to Football League side Wycombe Wanderers where he is leading scorer. The home ESL game was played at Rookery Hill in November 2023 and again the visitors were the winners, 2-1 this time, with Charlie Morris scoring Romford’s goal. The return at Newham ended 4-1 to Romford. Hassan Nalbant scored twice with Amaree Robinson-Jones, and Finlay Dorrell scoring the others.

The teams met at the start of this season at Mayesbrook Park and drew 1-1. The visitors led at the interval but Praise Ogbebor equalised and then in the closing moments, Boro were awarded a penalty. Chris Millar’s spot kick cannoned off the crossbar to deny Boro a win.

This Season:

Athletic Newham are currently 10th in the Essex Senior League with 36 points from 27 games. Their recent form has seen them win four and lose three of their last ten games. Their wins have come against Little Oakley (4-0), Hullbridge Sports (3-2), Buckhurst Hill (3-2), and Sawbridgeworth Town (2-1). Their last three league outings have seen them pick up just one point, from a 3-3 draw at home to Halstead Town. The other two of their last three league games ended in a 3-0 defeat at West Essex and an astonishing 8-1 home defeat at the hands of Woodford Town after they had taken an early lead.
In the FA Cup this season, Newham reached the First Qualifying Round with wins over Chipstead and Lancing before bowing out in a replay against Amersham Town. The FA Vase, having been exempt till the First Round, Newham fell at the first hurdle, beaten 3-2 at home by Lydd Town. In a remarkable finale to that game, three of the five goals came in the 90th minute or later.

Home Ground and How To Get There:

Tomorrow’s game will be played at Leisure United (Parsloes Park, 3G), Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham RM9 5PU

The nearest stations are Becontree and Dagenham Heathway on the District Line. The 364 bus route runs along Parsloes Avenue from Dagenham East.

Admission Prices:

General £7
Concessions £5
Juniors: £2
Children: U16's are free

Programmes are online only.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures

Friday 21st February:
7.45pm Woodford Town v Sawbridgeworth Town

Saturday 22nd February:

3pm Athletic Newham v Romford
2pm FC Clacton v West Essex
3pm Hullbridge Sports v Halstead Town
3pm Ilford v Benfleet
3pm Saffron Walden Town v Buckhurst Hill
3pm Stansted v Little Oakley
3pm Stanway Rovers v Barking
2pm Takeley v Great Wakering Rovers
2pm White Ensign v Frenford

Next Up for Boro:

After Saturday, Romford’s next game is scheduled for Tuesday 25th February at FC Clacton. This game has been postponed twice before; maybe Tuesday will be third time lucky?

Before then, Romford’s Under 14 EJA side are in action on Sunday, when they take on Aveley at Parkside, kick-off 10am.