Great Wakering Rovers face a tough test this Saturday as they welcome Isthmian North League side Takeley to Burroughs Park in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.

Rovers didn't get off to the start they wanted to the season last week as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to the hands of Frenford. Marcus Bowers will be looking to see a positive reaction from his side and will be hoping his team will put in a reasonable performance against Takeley.

This will be the visitors first competitive match of the season as their league campaign kicks off on August 15th. However, the Blues will be out for revenge since they've fell to defeat at the hands of the Rovers in their last two cup outings in the Errington Challenge Cup Semi Final in 2025 and the Essex Senior Cup 3rd round last season.

However, the visitors have had two solid seasons having achieved promotion to the Isthmian League and will be looking to secure another season at step 4 with the decent squad they've built.

The Opposition: Takeley

This will be Takeley's sixteeth time taking part in the FA Cup and will be looking to progress past the extra preliminary round for the second year running. Kieran Amos has built a formidable side over the last two seasons, achieving promotion via the playoffs and guided his team to safety in the Isthmian North. Amos will be looking to start his season on a positive note in the FA Cup and gain revenge following his past two cup defeats over the Rovers this Saturday.

Rovers will need to be on their toes this Saturday as they will need to deal with the likes of Lanrewaju Balogun and Jordan Westcott who scored thirteen goals between themselves last season.

Head 2 Head:

Rovers have faced Takeley on many occasions throughout the years. This will be the fifteenth occasion they've met and the first time ever in the FA Cup.

Played: 15
Won: 9
Drawn: 3
Lost: 3

Last 5 meetings:
29/04/24 Takeley 1-1 Rovers
30/07/24 Rovers 0-0 Takeley
08/04/25 Takeley 3-2 Rovers
15/04/25 Rovers 4-1 Takeley (AET, Errington Challenge Cup Semi)
21/10/25 Takeley 1-1 Rovers (Essex Senior Cup 3rd Round, Rovers won 5-3 on pens)

Recent FA Cup Campaigns:

Rovers:
2021-22 PRE HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS H 3-1
1Q FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UTD A 3-1
2Q PETERBOROUGH SPORTS H 3-5
2022-23 EP DUNSTABLE TOWN A 0-2
2023-24 EP SAFFRON WALDEN TOWN A 0-1
2024-25 EP REDBRIDGE H 2-2
EPr REDBRIDGE A 0-1
2025-26 EP DUNSTABLE TOWN A 3-1
PRE REDBRIDGE H 0-0
PREr REDBRIDGE A 0-1

Takeley:
2021-22 EP WARE A 1-2
2022-23 EP REDBRIDGE A 2-1
PRE ROMFORD A 1-1
PREr ROMFORD H 2-3
2023-24 EP HULLBRIDGE SPORTS A 1-4
2024-25 EP COLNEY HEATH A 2-1
PRE STOTFOLD A 0-1
2025-26 EP CRAWLEY GREEN H 5-2
PRE BOWERS & PITSEA H 0-0
PREr BOWERS & PITSEA A 0-2

Admission Prices:

Tickets can be purchased online in the lead up to the game HERE to save yourself the hassle or you can pay on the turnstile on the day.

Adults £10
Concessions & Students £6
U12's £2
U10's FREE

How To Get There:

By Car:

From Southend, Take Clarence Road, Alexandra Street, Heygate Avenue and Chancellor Road to Queensway/A1160. Take Woodgrange Drive, Wakering Road and Southend Road to Little Wakering Hall Lane in Great Wakering. Drive down the road past the Exhibition Inn and turn in on the second left into Little Wakering Hall Lane and drive on till you reach the ground. Parking will be limited.

By Bus:
From Southend Travel Centre take the number 7, 8 or 14 to the Exhibition Inn and walk straight up the road towards the British Legion and turn left down Little Wakering Hall Lane. Walk five minutes till you reach the football ground.

By Train:

Take the C2C to from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness. Get off at Thorpe Bay and take the number 8, 7 or 14 bus to the Exhibition Inn and walk straight up the road towards the British Legion and turn left down Little Wakering Hall Lane. Walk five minutes till you reach the football ground.

Other Local Fixtures:

Friday 7th (Kickoff 7.45pm unless stated)
Hackney v West Essex
White Ensign v Heybridge Swifts

Saturday 8th (Kickoff 3pm unless stated)
Biggleswade United v Woodford Town
Buckhurst Hill v Barking
Clapton Community v Benfleet
Haringey Borough v Sporting Bengal United
Harlow Town v Frenford
Haverhill Rovers v Halstead Town
Hendon v SOUL Tower Hamlets
Ilford v Dunstable Town
Northwood v Hutton
Romford v Barton Rovers
Stotfold v Basildon United
Wisbech Town v Saffron Walden Town

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