Rovers have faced Barkingside just three times since their initial match on 24th March 1998, a Thameside Trophy Quarter Final which Barkingside won 1-0 at Burroughs Park.

The two matches since then have seen Rovers victorious on both occasions.

On 5th October 1999 in the Essex Senior Cup 2nd Round, Rovers grabbed a 3-2 win at Barkingside, and the following season, a 1-0 win in the Thameside Trophy 1st round at Burroughs Park.

Rovers manager Eddie Nash was in the hotseat at the time and is regarded as one of the luckiest managers having Rovers greats such as John Heffer, Paul Flack, Jimmy Ablitt and Mark Hampshire at his disposal.

So with no league format history between the sides, this ESL match marks the first.