Non-league rivals ready to start new season

And Barkingside are the first of four in action, as they travel to Aveley’s Parkside Stadium to take on tenants May & Baker in Thurlow Nunn League Division One South on Friday (7.45pm).

James Wakeling is their new manager, after Steven Le Sage became Director of Senior Football earlier in the summer to help support the club’s off-pitch developments.

Wakeling had spells in charge at Hullbridge Sports, Southend Manor and Basildon United and has added Oswald Nyahunda, Harry Baker and John Mbamarah to his squad.

Side ended their pre-season with a 2-0 defeat at Romford last weekend, having lost at Rayleigh Town, Sporting Bengal and Great Wakering, before beating Runwell Sports.

And they are on their travels again on Wednesday when they visit newcomers Hutton at Billericay Town.

Essex Senior League rivals Ilford, Woodford Town and newcomers Frenford all start their seasons on Saturday.

Ilford welcome Halstead Town to Cricklefields, having added new faces in Ben Loftus, Rowan Newland, Brady Landu, Jaedon Phillips, Jack Griggs, Mohamud Kaudeer and Harry Watkins to their ranks.

Richard Ponsford has retained the services Connor Jones, who is the new captain, as well as Freddie Mattock, Harry Rawlins, Joe Lilly, Delphin Moorat, Lewis Risk, Henry Fisher, Paul Cox, Josh Boxall, Tobi James-Otojiti, Jake Chadwick, Tim Pitman and Evernage Nyahunda.

And the Foxes face a second home fixture on Monday when they welcome Sporting Bengal United.

Promoted Frenford make their step five debut at Little Oakley, before a mouth-watering local derby against Woodford – who visit Takeley for their opener – at The Drive on Tuesday.

Woodford boss Shane Baptiste has added new signings Myles John, James Jewers, Sam Sollosi, Nathan Sollosi, Yemi Adelani and Eli Benoit to his squad, having also retained the services of prolific striker Luke Parrott, Dimi Christou, Ernest Okoh and Normand Kebi.

Newbury Forest must wait until Tuesday to start their Thurlow Nunn League season, as they welcome Clapton Community to Oakside Stadium.

Landlords Redbridge, meanwhile, host Hornchurch in their last pre-season friendly tomorrow (Friday), having seen their application for a new 4G pitch rejected by the council earlier this month.

Promoted last season, George Christou’s Motormen host New Salamis in an FA Cup extra preliminary round tie on August 5, before starting their Isthmian League North campaign at Witham Town a week later.