So far this season Romford have played Little Oakley twice in the Essex Senior League and once in the Essex Senior Cup with The Acorns winning twice, including the game at The Lawtech Stadium in which their 2-1 victory handed Boro their first league defeat of the season. The prolific Darren Mills scored both Little Oakley’s goals that evening with Andy Morris getting one back for Boro, but in the return, on a wet and windy evening in November, a Joe Paxman goal gave Boro a 1-0 win at The Memorial Ground. Sandwiched between those games was an Essex Senior Cup tie, also at The Memorial Ground, which Little Oakley won 3-1. Jaiden Babalola scored Boro’s goal while Darren Mills was again on target for the home side.

Neither Boro nor Little Oakley were able to play at the weekend with Boro’s visit to Benfleet and Little Oakley’s game at Sawbridgeworth Town both succumbing to frozen pitches.

Previous Meetings:

Despite never having played them before 2022, Romford have now met Little Oakley nine times, six times in the Essex Senior League and additionally in the Essex Senior League Cup, Essex Senior Cup, and FA Vase. Romford have won six times (including four times in league games) and lost on the other three occasions.

Current Form:

Little Oakley’s form has been mixed of late with just two wins – at Frenford and FC Clacton – to show for their last eight outings. Four of those eight games have ended in defeat including their most recent showing, when they were beaten 4-0 at Athletic Newham.

The Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy:

All four Quarter Final ties in the competition are scheduled for tomorrow evening. As well as Boro’s game against Little Oakley, the following games are also due to take place:

FC Clacton v Saffron Walden Town
Halstead Town v Great Wakering Rovers
Hullbridge Sports v Woodford Town

If the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes, extra-time will not be played and a penalty shoot-out will determine the winner. Little Oakley have won both of their ties in the competition by this method.

Results in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy to date:

Preliminary Round:
Great Wakering Rovers 4, Benfleet 0
Saffron Walden Town 4, Stansted 0
White Ensign 1, Little Oakley 1 (Little Oakley won 5-4 on penalties
Athletic Newham 2, Halstead Town 4

First Round:
Barking 3, FC Clacton 4
Buckhurst Hill 1, Great Wakering Rovers 2
Saffron Walden Town 3, Frenford 3 (Saffron Walden Town won 5-3 on penalties)
Hullbridge Sports 3, Stanway Rovers 2
Woodford Town 2, Takeley 0
Romford 2, Sawbridgeworth Town 1
Ilford 1, Halstead Town 2
West Essex 1, Little Oakley 1 (Little Oakley won 4-2 on penalties

Next Up for Boro:

After tomorrow, Boro are next in action on Friday night with a trip to play second in the table Woodford Town at Ashton Playing Fields.