We faced our stiffest pre-season test on Saturday against Ryman Premier team Billericay Town and passed it well.

We faced our stiffest pre-season test on Saturday against Ryman Premier team Billericay Town and passed it well. Billericay have had a good pre-season having drawn with Peterborough and also beating Colchester Reserves 3 - 1.

With several players still recovering from injury, either picked up pre-season or carried over from the last campaign, it will be interesting to see how many will be fit for Saturday. Such is Mark Morsley's worries over having a fully fit squad for the start of the season he has arranged to have on loan Sheridan Driver from Bishop's Stortford.

In the game against Billericay we grabbed the lead on 29 minutes when a long ball out of defence by Matt Stace was headed by David Head into the path of Gareth Heath who kept his calm and slid the ball under the keeper. Jack Wignall made his first appearance of the season at half time replacing Stace who had had an impressive home debut. Two quick goals early in the second half from the impressive Bradley Woods-Garness gave Billericay the edge but a superb strike by Wignall on 65 minutes gave us the draw we deserved. Luke Hammond came on for a further run out to improve his match fitness.

Thanks to the efforts of our Supporters Club £235 has been raised for The Motor Neurone Association.

The season starts for real on Saturday with a visit of Aveley who will provide tough opposition and then we have a local derby against Maldon Town away on Tuesday the 21st. During this season we should have four objectives, namely to improve our discipline and our injury record, to do better against the top teams and gain more points at home. If those objectives are fulfilled, then I have every confidence that the squad will at least make the play-offs come the end of the season.

Our Reserves last Saturday travelled to Haughley United and came away with a commendable 2 - 2 draw with our goals coming from Lee Ifield and Jack Hines. Their next game is not until the start of the season which is the 25th August at home to Needham Market Reserves.

Our youth and ladies section are running a Summer Fun Day on Sunday the 26th August from 2 pm at King's Marsh Stadium. The event will include a Dads/Ladies v Lads/Ladies match, penalty shoot-out, barbeque, a bouncy castle and other attractions and everyone is welcome to join in the fun. There will be an entry fee of £1 with under 5's free.