The Essex Senior League kicked off with a competitive and often dramatic opening week as several title hopefuls made their early intentions clear. Here’s how our ProKit & ESL Benchwear Partner Clubs began their campaigns:

Matchday 1: Early Goals and Opening Statements

Barking 1–0 Basildon United
Barking began their season in classic fashion at Mayesbrook Park, grinding out a tight win against Basildon United. After a tense and goalless first half, it was Lekan Osideko who stepped off the bench to net the winner in the 83rd minute, giving Barking three crucial points to start the campaign.

West Essex 2–4 Romford
Romford made a bold opening statement away from home, running riot against West Essex. Agyiri, Adu Gyamfi, Reynolds, and Bellamy all found the net, firing Romford to the top of the early table and demonstrating attacking intent.

Buckhurst Hill 3–1 Ilford
Buckhurst Hill kicked off with a confident home performance. Goals from Maltese, Nicolaou, and Titley gave them a commanding lead, with Ilford replying through Luzolo in the second half. It was a wake-up call for the Foxes, who looked sluggish early on.

Hackney Wick 2–3 Woodford Town
Woodford Town’s season began with a thriller. Sotoyinbo scored twice and Toussaint added a stunner as they went 3–1 up by half-time. A second-half red card and a converted penalty set up a tense finish, but Woodford held firm for an impressive away win.

Halstead Town 1–1 Sporting Bengal United
In front of a 300-plus crowd at Rosemary Lane, Halstead showed resilience. After Embalo put Sporting Bengal ahead, Bennett equalised in the second half to secure a hard-earned point for the Humbugs.

Saffron Walden Town 4–0 Hullbridge Sports
The Bloods delighted the Catons Lane faithful with a dominant opening display. Nassor (penalty), Elegushi (brace), and Cobblah were all on target in a convincing win that marked Walden as early contenders.

Benfleet 1–0 Frenford
Frenford’s campaign started slowly, falling to a second-half strike from Lawrence. Despite some late pressure, they couldn’t find an equaliser.

Matchday 2: Early Momentum and Midweek Drama

White Ensign 3–1 Barking
After their opening win, Barking were brought back to earth on the road. Despite scoring first, they were pegged back and eventually beaten by three second-half goals, leaving them with a win and a loss from their first two fixtures.

Basildon United 3–0 Benfleet
Basildon bounced back emphatically from opening-day disappointment. Ali netted twice — including a penalty — and Price added a third to secure a morale-boosting home victory.

Buckhurst Hill 2–2 Tower Hamlets
Buckhurst Hill’s second outing ended in a frustrating draw. They led at intervals but couldn’t kill the game off, with Tower Hamlets grabbing a share of the points in a lively encounter.

Frenford 1–3 Ilford
Ilford responded to their opening defeat in style. Akpele bagged a brace and Addai added a third in a commanding display, with O’Connor scoring Frenford’s late penalty consolation. Two games, two defeats for Frenford highlights an urgent need for improvement.

Harwich & Parkeston 2–1 Halstead Town
Halstead suffered their first defeat of the season in midweek. Older converted from the spot, but defensive lapses proved costly as Harwich & Parkeston grabbed a deserved home win.

Romford 2–4 Saffron Walden Town
The standout fixture of the midweek round saw Saffron Walden Town announce themselves as early title challengers. Despite a lively start from Romford, Walden’s pace and clinical edge told, with Elegushi again central to their attacking threat. Romford’s free-scoring start was checked by their first defeat.

West Essex 1–3 Woodford Town
Woodford Town made it two wins from two with another confident away performance. Sotoyinbo continued his hot streak with a goal, alongside a West Essex own goal and a late strike from Kebi to seal the points.

Next ESL Fixtures for our Partner Clubs

  • Barking FC – vs Hackney Wick (A)

  • Basildon United – vs Great Wakering Rovers (A)

  • Buckhurst Hill – vs Frenford (A)

  • Frenford – vs Buckhurst Hill (H)

  • Halstead Town – vs White Ensign (H)

  • Ilford – vs West Essex (H)

  • Romford – vs Hullbridge Sports (H)

  • Saffron Walden Town – vs Harwich & Parkeston (H)

  • Woodford Town – vs Little Oakley (A)