It might be overstating matters to describe Romford’s game at Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday as a six-pointer, but there’s little doubt that both teams will be keen to win this game as the sides sit level on ten points a-piece with Boro 18th and Rovers 19th in the table. Last night’s Isthmian League North game between Basildon United and Stowmarket Town ended with The Bees on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline, meaning that Boro remain level on points with Basildon bit now with a game in hand.

Brief history:
Formed in 1919, Rovers were one time members of the Southend & District League, which they dominated during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1982 they joined the Southend & District Alliance Football League, and in 1989 switched to the Essex Intermediate League. Three years later they joined the Essex Senior League, which they have won three times, in 1995, 2014, and 2018.

In the last completed season, 2018-19, Rovers finished 15th in Isthmian League North and in the last two years were seventh and fourteenth when the seasons were abandoned.

Wakering have played at their current home of Burroughs Park since 1989.

Previous meetings:
Romford have met Great Wakering Rovers 36 times since 1992, more than all but four other teams. Romford’s record is P 36 W 18 D 4 L 14 F 64 A 59. In league games (Isthmian and Essex Senior) only, the record is P 26 W 12 D 3 L 11 F 38 A 40

The first meeting between the sides was an Essex Senior League match played in November 1992 at Burroughs Park, with Romford won 1-0 with a goal from Gary Crampton after just 23 seconds.

The last five fixtures between Romford and Great Wakering Rovers have all finished with Rovers winning, the most recent game between the sides being the Isthmian League North match played at Burroughs Park on 3rd October 2020, which ended 3-0 to the home side. There's action from that game in the accompanying picture, by Alan Blackholly.

The last Romford victory over Rovers came on the opening day of the 2018-19 season when goals from Kris Newby, Jonathon Nzengo, and Roddy Lemba gave Boro a 3-0 win.

Players in common:
Three former Romford players have appeared in Rovers colours this season. Goalkeeper Jack Riddell featured in a 2-1 defeat at Tilbury in September, but has since joined Thurlow Nunn League side May & Baker. Tam Eyong made five league and cup appearances at the start of the season but has not played since that same game against Tilbury, while Connor Hammond joined Rovers in October and has played six times, including Rovers’ most recent game against Heybridge Swifts last weekend.

Another player who will be very familiar to Romford supporters but has never been associated with Boro is Martin Tuohy, formerly of Canvey Island, but best known for his days with Hornchurch, and who is Rovers’ leading scorer this season with six goals.

This season:
Rovers began the season with Stephen Butterworth in the managerial hotseat, but parted company with him in October, since when former Basildon United First Team coach Glenn Robson has taken charge.

Rovers sit one place below Boro with 7 points from their opening 11 fixtures. Their most recent game saw them lose 3-2 at Heybridge Swifts last Saturday, their fifth consecutive away defeat. In their most recent two home league games they have picked up maximum points however, beating bottom club Hullbridge Swifts 1-0, and then second placed Grays Athletic by the same score.

In the cups, Rovers made it to the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, beating Heybridge Swifts and Felixstowe & Walton United before going out to Peterborough Sports. In the FA Trophy they were knocked out by Walton Casuals, having previously won at Stowmarket Town and Chichester City.

Getting there:
You all probably know the way by now, after all Boro have played there often enough, but just in case: The full address of the ground is Burroughs Park, Little Wakering Hall Lane, Great Wakering, Essex, SS3 0HH. By road from Romford it’s about an hour, but if the last trip down the A127 to Hullbridge is typical then you may need to allow a bit more time than that, especially with the road closure on the A13 meaning more traffic on the A127.

By public transport it’s about two hours and necessitates getting to Southend Victoria and catching the number 7 or number 14 bus.

Admission and programme:
Admission prices are:
Adults: £10.00
Concessions, OAP: £6.00
Under 16's Free
No paper at Great Wakering Rovers, I’m afraid, the club issue an online programme only.