It was a difficult round of fixtures for our sides this week and ultimately many of the results reflected that, reports Leon Imber.

Due to the postponement of Concord Rangers’ first league match of the season against Dulwich Hamlet, Billericay Town hosted the only National League South action of the week for Essex sides.

A performance which Town striker Jake Robinson admitted himself was ‘just awful’ saw Jamie O’Hara’s men slump to a 2-0 defeat against Tonbridge Angels.

The away side were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half, but Billericay could not capitalise and for that, they are understandably extremely disappointed.

In the Isthmian Premier Division, East Thurrock United have yet to taste victory, and the run continued as they lost 3-1 to Haringey Borough.

Paul Martin’s side now lie 21st in the league standings.

Elsewhere in the division, Bowers and Pitsea were frustratingly held to a 1-1 draw against Lewes, a result which saw the Sussex based side pick up their first point of the season.

Billy Knott was again on the score sheet, converting a penalty in the 74th minute, as Bowers remain at the top of the table.

Two Essex sides met in the Isthmian North Division as Basildon United ran riot over Great Wakering Rovers.

Stephen Butterworth’s men found themselves on the end of a 6-0 defeat and looked a completely different side to the one that saw off Romford three days before.

The result saw Basildon pick up their first three points of the season, with Samuel Jeremiah netting two as Bradley Greene, Sonny Dutton, Tyrone Baker and Joshua Rusoke were also on the scoresheet.

Hullbridge Sports were also at the wrong end of a high scoring match as Heybridge Swifts beat the table-toppers 5-0.

Darren Manning’s side were reduced to 10 men as Dexter Peter’s was shown red, fuelling their capitulation.

Meanwhile, Canvey Island also fell short, losing 1-0 to Maldon and Tiptree.

Adam Vyse netted the only goal of the game with a fantastic long-range free kick.

Canvey were also reduced to 10 men after Elliott Ronto was shown a second yellow card in the 68thminute.

Both Canvey and Maldon and Tiptree have enjoyed very good starts to the 2020/21 campaign, so the match was always likely to be tightly contested.

There was to be success for Southend Manor and Hashtag United in the Essex Senior League, however.

Southend Manor have endured a turbulent start to the season but secured a huge three points against Ilford.

The five-goal-thriller saw Manor come away with a 3-2 victory thanks to strikes from Liam Jarrett, Matt Keiller and a Jack Allen penalty.

The victory was the perfect reaction after their previous thumping against West Essex.

To round off the week’s action, Hashtag United were also victorious, seeing off St Margaretsbury comfortably with a 4-1 mauling.

Harry Honesty scored in-between a George Smith Brace to put Jay Devereux’s men into a 3-0 lead in the first half.

Albert Keith put the game to bed in the 85th minute to get the Tags back to winning ways.