Romford must put their current form – just one win in the last six games – behind them with a visit to Halstead Town next on the agenda. Halstead – who were bottom of the table back in October – currently lie fifteenth with 33 points from 29 games and have already beaten Boro this season, winning 2-1 at Mayesbrook Park back in November.

Boro’s draw at Stanway last Saturday was encouraging after disappointing defeats against Athletic Newham and Frenford, but the midweek defeat at FC Clacton was a poor showing. Halstead are in rather better form than Boro at present and beat in-form White Ensign 3-1 last Saturday.

Previous Meetings:

Romford’s first seven encounters with Halstead Town ended in six defeats and a solitary draw; Boro then won five of the next six meetings with one game drawn.

The first ever fixture between the sides was an Essex Senior Trophy tie played in September 1993 which The Humbugs won 5-0. That game was played at Halstead Town’s Rosemary Lane ground, as were six of the first seven matches between the teams, the last of these was an Essex Senior Cup tie played in October 2004, which Halstead won 2-1.

It was eighteen years before the teams met again, in 2022 following Romford’s relegation from the Isthmian League and Halstead’s promotion from the Thurlow Nunn League. The game ended with Romford’s first ever win over The Humbugs as goals from Tambeson Eyong, Camilo Restrepo, and Lewis Smith earned a 3-1 win. Boro then won the next three games – all of which took place at Halstead – including a 4-1 win there in the FA Cup in August 2023.

In last season’s league encounters, Boro drew 1-1 at Halstead but lost 3-1 at home in the return fixture. There was also a remarkable Errington Challenge Cup tie played at Halstead that Boro won 5-2 with three of the goals coming in the space of four minutes either side of half-time.

Overall, Romford have met Halstead on 15 occasions, winning 5 and losing 8.

This Season:

Halstead began the season with a 1-1 draw at White Ensign but then lost eight of their next nine league games during which their only win was a 4-3 home victory over Stansted. Their form since has been variable with notable wins over Benfleet and Little Oakley balanced by defeats at home to Buckhurst Hill and Athletic Newham.

At home, Halstead have won six and lost nine with no drawn games. Their two most recent home games saw them surprisingly lost 3-1 to Sawbridgeworth Town, but the do rather better in their last game at Rosemary Lane, in which they beat White Ensign by the same score.

Halstead’s current form has seen them pick up ten points from their last six games with a 4-2 win at Buckhurst Hill, the 3-1 success against White Ensign, and most remarkably, a 3-2 win at Woodford Town.

With prolific goalscorer Kane Gilbert having departed for Canvey Island during the last close season, goalscoring responsibilities have been shared between former Stanway Pegasus striker Dean Ager (who scored a penalty against Boro in the league game at Mayesbrook Park ), James Eveleigh, and Nathan Scarborough who have nine apiece.

Beaten in the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Cup at Harpenden Town, Halstead fared rather better in the FA Vase, beating Langford and Haverhill Borough before exiting at home to Harleston Town in the First Round. In the Essex Senior League’s cup competitions, they followed up a 2-1 home win over West Essex with a 3-1 home defeat against Takeley in the Errington Challenge Cup, while in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy they won 4-2 at Athletic Newham, 2-1 at Ilford, but were then knocked out 4-0 at home by Great Wakering Rovers.

Halstead’s home ground is Milbank Stadium, Rosemary Lane, Broton Industrial Estate, Halstead, CO9 1HR. At 44 miles from Romford, it’s about an hour’s drive.

Take the A12 to junction 19 and the Stansted Airport/Sudbury/Braintree/Chelmsford exit and follow the road onto Essex Regiment Way. At Sheepcotes Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Braintree Road (A131). At Panners Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A120 slip road to Halstead, and at Marks Farm Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto the A131. Follow the A131 into Halstead and turn left into Butler Road, just after the Esso Petrol Station. Turn right into Chapel Street, then left into Rosemary Lane. Parking is available at the ground, but there is also a public car park in Butler Road.

By public transport, it’s not the easiest of journeys, with Colchester Town probably the best station to travel to, and from where the number 88 bus goes to Halstead. The journey takes just under an hour. Buses also run from Braintree and Witham Stations.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 14th March:
7.45pm Woodford Town v Little Oakley

Saturday 15th March:
3pm Athletic Newham v Benfleet
3pm Barking v Sawbridgeworth Town
3pm Frenford v Ilford
3pm Great Wakering Rovers v Stanway Rovers
3pm Halstead Town v Romford
3pm Saffron Walden Town v FC Clacton
3pm Stansted v Buckhurst Hill
3pm Takeley v White Ensign
3pm West Essex v Hullbridge Sports

Romford U14 EJA

Boro’s Under 14 EJA side have a big game on Sunday as they face Aveley at Parkside in the Semi-Final of the Essex Andrews U14 Cup, kick-off 11am