GREAT WAKERING ROVERS/RYMAN ONE NORTH

Great Wakering Rovers struggled to find their best form after the departure of stalwart Dan Trenkel last season.

In came his assistant Gary Ansell and, after a rocky start, results stabilised and the team looked more solid, albeit prone to disciplinary issues.

Ansell has been working hard this summer in his first pre-season as a first-team manager and has set up a testing schedule which is sure to test a team who will be looking to make their mark in the opening weeks of the Ryman One North campaign.

East Thurrock, Canvey Island and Billericay promise to be good tests while Ilford from the Essex Senior League are one of the stronger teams at that level.

And Ansell is excited at the prospect.

“I am pleased we have sorted out this schedule and it will be a good test for the boys,” he said. “There is a good mixture and the players will need to be in good shape against some very fit sides.

"East Thurrock and Billericay have been kind enough to add us into their schedule and those matches are exciting and will provide a different sort of test.

"We always have Southend down at the ground as we always have a big crowd so hopefully the big crowd can inspire the players.

“We must make sure we are ready for them and, with the boys I have brought in, I am confident we will be in a good place come the start of the season.”

9/7 Southend United (H) 1pm

16/7 East Thurrock United (H) 3pm

19/7 Bishop’s Stortford (H) 7.45pm

23/7 Hullbridge Sports (A) 3pm

23/7 Ilford (A) 3pm

26/7 Canvey Island (H) 7.45pm

30/7 Erith & Belvedere (A) 12noon

6/8 Billericay Town (H) 3pm