The goalless draw against Maldon & Tiptree was a very competitive game from start to finish.

Both teams cancelled each other out and when I walked off at the end I felt we had enjoyed the better of the chances and I think Maldon may think the same. It was a shame it descended into what it did (with three red cards) but when both teams are giving everything then it can happen. There was no bad blood and the red cards were not for anything other than tackles. But being without Richard Halle and Ben Sartain means we are not exactly flush with players at the moment. We have a number of matches against local opposition coming up, and they will all be tough.

Romford knocked Colchester out of the Essex Senior Cup on Monday, Tilbury have recruited two of the best forwards in the league (Mitch Gilbey and Lewis Smith) and Basildon are top of the league.

But it is not our style to feel sorry for ourselves. The under-23s are stepping up and the local games bring an extra edge as there are relationships on both sides.

We are still third in the league and I would challenge anyone who said they have had a harder start than us. From the eight games, we are unbeaten and we have a solid foundation to build on and we should be proud of that. There is always room for improvement.

I have seen near enough every team in the league this season now and I have been impressed by many. Romford are doing a fantastic job when most seasons they are written off as the most likely to be relegated. You can’t ignore Basildon’s achievements but if anyone will win the league I think they must finish above Maldon and Aveley.

Canvey have changed their manager, which can be unsettling, but I feel they will go from strength to strength. Wakering are probably over-performing but Garry (Kimble) has done so well. He has won two promotions with Witham and who’s to say he can’t do something similar at Wakering.