GOALS win games and clean sheets win championships is a saying we have all heard before.

And this weekend was a clear indication that the strength of the backline will be critical in determining some of the front-runners in our area.

Concord Rangers, Billericay Town, Canvey Island, Bowers & Pitsea and Basildon United all secured shut-outs this week, with four of the five winning.

Town and Canvey will make no bones about their desire to challenge at the summit of the National League South and Isthmian North respectively.

Concord and Bowers will be happy to slip under the radar but I don’t think many will swallow the ‘underdog’ tag should recent results come into account.

The Concord defensive unit has clicked into shape very quickly and but for an injury-time goal last week Sam Beasant would be celebrating three straight clean sheets at the start of the season.

Town were able to rely on Alan Julian and Louis Wells to dig them out of tight spots while Canvey secured the clean sheet that proved elusive on so many occasions last term - courtesy of a Harry Palmer penalty save.

Bowers’ Andy Wilton impressed on debut and if Basildon’s Connor Wheatley can bring his defensive record from the Essex Senior League into the Isthmian North, talk of surviving relegation as a primary goal will soon be dismissed.