It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we were contemplating a match against tomorrow’s opponents in the Final of the Errington Challenge Cup, and here we are playing them again in the Preliminary Round of the same competition. The final against Stanway Rovers at Heybridge Swifts’ ground in May was the second of three big games inside a week for Boro, coming only two days after the Play-Off Final defeat against Sporting Bengal United and just three days before the really big one, the FA Vase Final. The Errington Challenge Cup Final didn’t go our way and Stanway Rovers won it for the first time to become the thirtieth different winners of the competition.

This will be Stanway’s third visit to The Lawtech Stadium this season. They were Boro’s first league opponents on the opening day of the campaign, and Kris Newby’s men won that one 4-1 with Chris Millar, David Oweridu, Elliott Howson, and Sheri Artmeladze scoring Boro’s goals after the visitors had taken an early lead. They were also here to play Barking a few days after our game with them, and on that occasion, they went home with a point from a 1-1 draw.

Previous Meetings:

7th September 2022 – Romford 5, Stanway Rovers 1 – Essex Senior League
7th February 2023 – Stanway Rovers 3, Romford 1 - Essex Senior League
14th October 2023 - Stanway Rovers 3, Romford 1 - Essex Senior League
11th April 2024 – Romford 1, Stanway Rovers 0 – Essex Senior League
8th May 2024 – Stanway Rovers 4, Romford 0 – Essex Senior League Cup Final (at Heybridge Swifts FC)
27th July 2024 – Romford 4, Stanway Rovers 1 – Essex Senior League

This Season:

Stanway have not lost in the league since their opening day defeat against Boro, having won 9 and drawn 3 of their subsequent league games, earning them 30 points and they currently lead the table. Last Saturday they won 2-1 at Buckhurst Hill, and in midweek they entertained Hullbridge Sports and ran out 5-3 winners

In cup competitions, Stanway pulled off a minor giantkilling in the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, winning 2-1 at Maldon & Tiptree in a replay, but they then went out 3-1 at Tilbury. In the FA Vase they were beaten 4-3 on penalties at Colney Heath.

Errington Challenge Cup:

The first winners of the competition – and it was simply the Essex Senior League Cup then – were Billericay Town who beat Saffron Walden Town 2-1 in the 1972-73 Final. Billericay won the competition again in 1976-77 to become the first side to win it twice. Basildon United and Brentwood Town are the teams who have lifted the cup the most times with four wins each.

Boro won the League Cup on a blustery afternoon in 1995-96 at Burnham Ramblers’ ground where a crowd of 513 watched a 2-0 victory over Southend Manor in which Kevin Rendell and Micky Ross scored the goals. Romford also reached the Final in 2007, losing on penalties against Brentwood Town.

Tomorrow’s game is the final tie in the Preliminary Round. Other results in this round of the competition were:

Barking 2 West Essex 1
FC Clacton 2 Sawbridgeworth Town 1
Ilford 2 Buckhurst Hill 2 (Buckhurst Hill won 5-4 on pens) – Played at Buckhurst Hill

The draw for the First Round is as follows:

Tuesday 12th November:
FC Clacton v Takeley
Halstead Town v White Ensign
Buckhurst Hill v Woodford Town
Stansted v Little Oakley
Benfleet v Great Wakering Rovers
Hullbridge Sports v White Ensign

Wednesday 13th November:
Athletic Newham v Frenford

In the other tie, the winners of tomorrow’s match will be away to Saffron Walden Town.

Ties must be settled on the night and in the event of a draw at the end of 90 minutes there will be a penalty shoot-out.

Other games this weekend:

Saturday 19th October:

Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy:
Barking v FC Clacton

FA Vase First Round Proper ties involving ESL clubs:
Athletic Newham v Lydd Town
Benfleet v Newbury Forest
Brimsdown v West Essex
Frenford v Dereham Town
Halstead Town v Harleston Town
Kempston Rovers v White Ensign
Saffron Walden Town v Tring Athletic
Stansted v Clapton Community
Woodbridge Town v Takeley

Romford enter the FA Vase at the next stage, the Second Round, for which the draw will be made this coming Monday.