Romford make the short trip to Ilford tomorrow evening to play Frenford in what will be the first competitive fixture between the clubs, although there have been four pre-season friendlies over the years. On Saturday, Frenford were beaten 3-0 at West Essex, who moved into second place in the table, two points behind Boro.

Hassan Nalbant (below) netted a hat-trick – his third for the club, a record shared with six other players – in only his nineteenth start on Saturday as Boro beat FC Clacton 4-1, a result which returned Boro to the top of the table, two points ahead of second placed West Essex.

Picture: Bob Knightley

Frenford currently sit second from bottom in the table with two points from six games, a point ahead of Coggeshall Town, and with the same number as Stanway Rovers.

Brief History:

This is the first ever season at Step 5 for Frenford, who were formerly known as Frenford Senior. Formed in 1942, they played in the Ilford and District Football League, and were Premier Division champions in 1975–76, before going on to compete in the Essex Intermediate and Essex Olympian Leagues. In 2018 they joined the Eastern Counties League Division One South but in order to do so, had to leave their ground in Ilford to share at Bowers & Pitsea. In their first season they finished ninth, but the following two seasons were abandoned due to covid.

Ground improvements at their home ground at The Jack Carter Centre enabled them to return to Ilford, and after finishing ninth again in 2021-22, they won the Eastern Counties League Division One South last season, topping the table by a single point from Basildon Town. A number of former Boro players turned out for them last season, including Nick Reynolds (who weighed in with 13 goals), Josh Blackburn, Harry Daly, and Luis Shamshoum.

Previous Meetings:

There have been no previous competitive fixtures between the teams, but there have been four pre-season friendlies over the years, beginning in 2014 with a 1-1 draw at Frenford’s ground. A year later, at the same venue, it was 2-2 but in 2016 Frenford won 2-1 in a game played at Fords in Newbury Park. The last friendly was played in 2020, also at Newbury Park, and it ended goal-less.

This Season:

Frenford started their debut Essex Senior League campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Little Oakley, but in their first home game they came from behind to earn a creditable 2-2 draw with Woodford Town. Their only other home fixture also ended all square as they drew 3-3 with Coggeshall Town, but on the road they have suffered further defeats at White Ensign, Athletic Newham, and most recently, at West Essex.

This season is Frenford’s first ever in the FA Cup, and they suffered a single goal defeat at East Thurrock United, while in the FA Vase they won their First Qualifying Round game 3-0 at Benfleet and will be away to Brantham Athletic in the next round.

Although Frenford have lost five of their opening eight competitive fixtures, they have all been low scoring defeats with only West Essex beating them by more than two goals. Former Boro players Harry Daly, Tom Potter, Billy Stewart, and Nick Reynolds are all on Frenford’s books, although Reynolds has not featured in any of their games so far.

Home Ground and How To Get There:

Frenford play their home games at The Drive in Ilford, which now has a 3G pitch. The Post Code is IG1 3PS. The club ask that if you are driving to the game, you use the school car park next door.

The nearest stations are Redbridge or Gants Hill on the Central Line (both are about a 15-minute walk), or Ilford on the Elizabeth Line, which is a little further at just over a mile. Bus routes 145 and 366 serve The Drive, and route 66 runs along the Eastern Avenue, with the nearest stop just a few minutes’ walk from the ground.

Admission Prices:

Adults: £7
Concessions: £4
12-16 Year Olds: £1
Under 12s: Free

Essex Senior League fixtures this week:

There is a full programme of Essex Senior League fixtures this week, including a clash between the sides currently second and third – West Essex and Woodford Town – on Wednesday evening.

Tuesday 12th September:

Barking v Great Wakering Rovers
Buckhurst Hill v Athletic Newham
FC Clacton v Coggeshall Town
Frenford v Romford
Halstead Town v Hullbridge Sports
Saffron Walden Town v Little Oakley
Stanway Rovers v Ilford

Wednesday 13th September:

Sporting Bengal United v Takeley
White Ensign v Tilbury
Woodford Town v West Essex