BOWERS & PITSEA/RYMAN ONE NORTH

Bowers & Pitsea had a superb 2015/16 season and will be hoping to make their mark this time around as they prepare for their first ever season in the Ryman One North.

Bowers snatched the Essex Senior League title from under the noses of their rivals Basildon United after a fantastic end to the season, with the team also reaching the last four of the FA Vase.

And Bowers manager Rob Small has organised a testing pre-season against a number of teams who were league opponents last year.

Although Small doesn’t think the true effectiveness of the schedule will become apparent until the festive period.

“Our pre-season schedule this year has been cranked up a notch versus previous years,” said Small. “We are looking to push the players harder than we have previously to help acclimatise with the step up in level.

“How successful, or how pleased I am, remains to be seen. I'm hoping by the time we play Canvey on July 23 that we have a good measure of where we are.

“We are entering into unknown territory so the actual measure of our pre-season will likely be at Christmas.

“One thing I know is our players are switched on and determined to make their mark with the big boys.”

9/7 Hullbridge Sports (A) at Fords Sports & Social Club in Ilford 2pm

12/7 Basildon Town (A) at Fords Sports & Social Club in Ilford 7pm

16/7 Enfield 1893 (A) at Fords Sports & Social Club in Ilford 2pm

19/7 Harold Wood (A) 7pm

21/7 Basildon United (A) 7pm

23/7 Canvey Island (A) 3pm

26/7 Wivenhoe Town (A) 7.45pm

30/7 Felixstowe & Walton (A) 3pm