Essex Senior League Fixtures: Relegated Rovers host new-look Airportmen on opening day

Great Wakering Rovers will begin their quest to return to the Isthmian League Division One North at the first attempt with a home match against Stansted on Saturday 29th July, as the first Essex Senior League fixtures of the season were released on Friday evening.

The fixtures have had to be compiled manually as a result of a series of technical difficulties involving the FA Full-Time/Whole Game system, which would normally arrange the fixtures by computer, but a nationwide fault in the system has caused mayhem for clubs and leagues around England. The Essex Senior League Committee have been working extremely hard all day and through the night since the constitution was confirmed to get the fixtures released correctly, but August's game have now been scheduled with the league ensuring the remaining months will be issued in due course.

Wakering will meet Stansted at Burroughs Park on the opening day as they did following relegation in 2012, when they beat the Airportmen 4-1 that time. Iain O'Connell's side will look to put a difficult year behind them and hit the ground running as early as possible, against a new-look Stansted side now managed by former Hannakins Farm boss Paul Pittuck.

Great Wakering comfortably beat Stansted 4-1 on the opening day of the 2012-13

season, which co-incidentally will be the case this season, was their first game since

relegation from the Isthmian League the season before.

(Credit: Susan Watts/gwrovers.com/Rebel Sports Photography)

Elsewhere on the opening day, new-boys Hackney Wick make the long trip to Burnham Ramblers, and fellow newcomers Woodford Town 2017 welcome Ilford to Goffs Lane. Last year's runners-up Clapton visit Marc Harrison's Basildon United, while the rest of last season's top four; FC Romania travel to Wadham Lodge and Takeley welcome Sporting Bengal United to Station Road. In the other games, Hullbridge Sports host Waltham Forest, Sawbridgeworth Town meet West Essex and there is an East London derby between Redbridge and Tower Hamlets at Oakside Stadium.

Highlights from the first midweek of the season (1st/2nd August) sees Hackney Wick's first home game in the ESL on Tuesday 1st August, as they welcome Tower Hamlets to the Old Spotted Dog for an intriguing derby clash. Fancied title rivals Ilford & Clapton lock horns at Cricklefield the following night whilst Woodford Town 2017's management of Tony Ievoli and Neil Day face a quick reunion with former employers Wadham Lodge on the same evening.


Essex Senior League:
Saturday 29th July:
All matches kick-off 15:00 BST unless stated:
Basildon United v Clapton
Burnham Ramblers v Hackney Wick
Great Wakering Rovers v Stansted
Hullbridge Sports v Waltham Forest
Redbridge v Tower Hamlets
Sawbridgeworth Town v West Essex
Takeley v Sporting Bengal United
Wadham Lodge v FC Romania
Woodford Town 2017 v Ilford

Tuesday 1st August:
All matches kick-off 19:45 BST unless stated:
Burnham Ramblers v Stansted
Great Wakering Rovers v Barkingside
Hackney Wick v Tower Hamlets
Hullbridge Sports v Southend Manor
Redbridge v Sawbridgeworth Town
Takeley v Waltham Forest
West Essex v Sporting Bengal United

Wednesday 2nd August:
All matches kick-off 19:45 BST unless stated:
FC Romania v Enfield 1893
Ilford v Clapton
Wadham Lodge v Woodford Town 2017