After back to back defeats to end 2024, Boro look to bounce back tomorrow evening, but will be facing one of the Essex Senior League’s most in form sides as Takeley come to The Lawtech Stadium in the first game of 2025.

The sides have already met twice this season. Back in August, it ended 0-0 in the league game at Station Road, although had it not been for an inspired performance from home keeper Jarvis Monk, Boro would surely have taken all three points. The FA Vase tie played at the same venue in November ended in a 3-2 defeat as Boro fell at the first hurdle in their defence of the competition.

Takeley are now in their 17th season in the Essex Senior League, having joined from the Essex Olympian League in 2008. In their debut season they were title contenders for a long while, eventually finishing third behind Enfield and Boro, who won the title. They have since finished third on two more occasions, in 2012 and 2013, while the lowest they have finished was in 2016 when they ended the season in 18th place.

Previous Meetings:

There have been twelve previous meetings between the teams, of which Romford have won 5 and Takeley have won 4. Last season’s league games both went the way of the away teams as Takeley won 4-3 at The Lawtech Stadium after Romford had led 3-1, but in the return at Station Road goals from Finlay Dorrell and Darren Phillips meant that it ended 2-0 to Boro.

In Takeley’s debut ESL season of 2008-09 the sides met four times – twice in the league and twice in the League Cup – but there were no further games until Romford returned to the ESL in 2022, when there were then three meetings in a week during August with Romford winning a league game 2-1 at Barking, then drawing an FA Cup tie 1-1 at the same venue before winning 3-2 in the replay at Takeley.

Current Form:

While Boro’s form has taken something of a dip in recent weeks, Takeley have won 8 and drawn 2 of their last ten in the league, a record matched only by league leaders Stanway Rovers. The only sides to take points from Takeley since mid-October are West Essex – the game at Wadham Lodge ended goal-less – and Stanway Rovers, who had to come from behind to salvage a point in a 3-3 draw at Stanway on the Saturday before Christmas.

Takeley’s most recent league game saw them travel to Sawbridgeworth Town on Boxing Day, and they came home with maximum points having won 6-0 with six different players on the scoresheet. Jarvis Monk – who kept Boro at bay in the league game in August from between the sticks – came off the bench in that game to play outfield; former Saffron Walden Town and Enfield goalkeeper James Bransgrove was in goal for Takeley that day.

Having beaten Boro in the Second Round of the FA Vase, Takeley’s hopes of further progress were dashed as they were beaten 1-0 at March Town United in the Third Round of the competition.

Takeley remain unbeaten at home in the Essex Senior League – Boro are the only team to leave Station Road with so much as a point so far this season – and they have lost just twice on the road, at Woodford Town and Buckhurst Hill. Goals have been shared around with Jack Mitchell leading scorer with 9 goals while three other players have 6 or more.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

There is one other ESL game tomorrow evening as apart from Boro’s game, league leaders Stanway Rovers travel to play Woodford Town, who are currently second, five points behind Rovers but with two games in hand.

Friday 3rd January:
Romford v Takeley
Woodford Town v Stanway Rovers

Saturday 4th January:
Athletic Newham v Little Oakley
Buckhurst Hill v Benfleet
FC Clacton v Sawbridgeworth Town 2pm
Frenford v Hullbridge Sports
Halstead Town v Saffron Walden Town
Ilford v Great Wakering Rovers
Stansted v West Essex
White Ensign v Barking 2pm