Clapton CFC Men’s First Team will play higher division Romford at home in the BBC Essex Cup first round after the draw was made live on the radio.
It will be our first game against the Essex Senior League side, who famously won the FA Vase at Wembley two seasons ago.
All first round ties are due to take place on the week commencing August 25, which means ours will be Tuesday, August 26 at 7.45pm.
We’ve not had much success in our two years in this competition, losing to Little Oakley and then Harwich & Parkeston (pictured above) at the first hurdle.
The first round includes teams playing at Steps 5 and 6 only. Teams in the EFL and Steps 1-4 will join the competition in rounds two and three.
Full draw:
1. Ilford vs Hullbridge Sports
2. Little Oakley vs FC Clacton
3. Saffron Walden Town vs Holland
4. Barkingside vs Basildon United
5. West Essex vs Newbury Forest
6. Benfleet vs White Ensign
7. Clapton Community vs Romford
8. Rayleigh Town vs Barking
9. Hutton vs Lymore Gardens
10. Harwich & Parkeston vs Buckhurst Hill
11. Basildon Town vs Stansted
12. Cannons Wood vs Halstead Town
13. Frenford vs Southend Manor
14. Dunmow Town vs Burnham Ramblers
15. Woodford Town vs Wivenhoe Town
16. Harlow Town vs Stanway Pegasus
17. Coggeshall Town vs Athletic Newham
18. Great Wakering Rovers vs May & Baker Eastbrook Community
The following clubs will join the competition in Round Two:
Stanway Rovers, Takeley.
The following clubs will join the competition in Round Three:
Aveley, Billericay Town, Bowers & Pitsea, Braintree Town, Brentwood Town, Brightlingsea Regent, Canvey Island, Chelmsford City, Colchester United, Concord Rangers, Dagenham & Redbridge, Grays Athletic, Hashtag United, Heybridge Swifts, Hornchurch, Maldon & Tiptree, Redbridge, Southend United, Tilbury, Waltham Abbey, Walthamstow, Witham Town.
The designated week for each round is as follows:
Round 2 – w/c 22 September 2025
Round 3 – w/c 20 October 2025
Round 4 – w/c 17 November 2025
Quarter-Final – w/c 8 December 2025
Semi-Final – w/c 12 January 2026
Final – to be confirmed