Romford travel to The Wallace Binder Stadium on Saturday to face Maldon & Tiptree, and while The Jammers are not having quite the season that many expected, they will still provide stiff opposition for Boro.

Brief History:

Our opponents were formed in 1946 as Maldon Town FC. In 1966 they joined the Eastern Counties League, but moved to the Essex Senior League in 1972. They were ESL Champions in 1984-85, but reverted to the Eastern Counties League in 1996.

In September 2009, Maldon Town were taken over by Tiptree United, with both clubs playing at Maldon's ground, and in April 2010 the name was changed to Maldon & Tiptree FC. By this time, the club were playing in the Isthmian League North, having been promoted from the Eastern Counties League in 2003-04, although initially they played in the Southern League.

Maldon have been involved in three Isthmian North Play-off Finals. In 2013 they were beaten on penalties at home by Thamesmead Town, in 2017 they lost 1-0 to Thurrock, and in 2019 were beaten by neighbours Heybridge Swifts.

Maldon led Isthmian League North by a country mile when the 2019-20 season was abandoned, having lost just twice in 26 league games, both at home, against Tilbury and Boro.

Previous Meetings:

Romford and Maldon (as either Maldon Town or Maldon & Tiptree) have met thirty seven times in all since 1992, with Boro’s record being W 16, D 5, L 16 F 61 A 77. In thirty league games (Essex Senior and Isthmian), Boro have won 12 with 5 drawn.

On the opening day of this season Maldon came to Mayesbrook Park and went home 7-0 winners. The last occasion on which Romford visited Maldon, Boro won 3-1 in February 2020 with goals from Ejiro Okosieme, Mekhi McLeod, and Archie Tamplin. A repeat on Saturday would be most acceptable!

This season:

While many expected Maldon to continue their imperious form of recent seasons, the reality has been somewhat ordinary, with six defeats from fifteen games leaving them in mid-table. They followed their opening day win over Boro by beating Aveley, and Stowmarket Town, before losing three on the trot, 3-0 at Hashtag United, 3-2 at Heybridge Swifts, and then 1-0 at home to Basildon United. Their last six league games have seen them win two, draw two, and lose two.

Players in common:

Two former Boro men have featured for Maldon this season. Shomari Barnwell has appeared 18 times, scoring 6 goals, including the winner against Heybridge Swifts in their midweek Velocity Trophy tie, while Philip Bampoe-Brown has played 8 times. Barnwell started four games for Boro in 2015, but failed to find the target, while Bampoe-Brown made 18 appearances over the course of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, scoring once, a spectacular goal against Soham Town Rangers when Boro came from 2-0 down to win 5-2.

Getting there:

By car:
Take the A12 to Junction 18 and exit onto the A414 for Maldon. Stay on this road until the roundabout for the B1018, Limebrook Way until the Mundon Road roundabout, where the second exit connects with Park Drive. The entrance to the ground is by the Madison Heights Leisure centre. For Sat Navs, the Post Code is CM9 5JQ

By public transport

Not the most straightforward of trips by public transport. From Romford, take a train to Chelmsford. There is one direct train an hour at 51 minutes past the hour, otherwise it is necessary to change at Shenfield. From Chelmsford Bus Station take the 31 or 31B bus to Maldon Promenade Gates, which takes about 36 minutes. From there it's a 10 minute walk along Park Drive to the ground.

Admission Prices:

Adults = £10
Concessions = £5
U16's = £2

Programmes: Maldon and yet another club who have adopted the online programme this season.

Other games in Isthmian League North this Saturday are:
Aveley v AFC Sudbury
Barking v Hullbridge Sports
Basildon United v Felixstowe & Walton United
Brentwood Town v Tilbury
Bury Town v Grays Athletic
Canvey Island v Stowmarket Town
Coggeshall Town v Hashtag United
Heybridge Swifts v Dereham Town
Witham Town v Great Wakering Rovers

Picture: Billy Hayes in the thick of the action against Maldon on the opening day of the season (Alan Blackholly)