Rip up your form guide readers, buckle up for the ride and enjoy what are going to be an eventful few weeks.

Top of the billing are the boys at New Lodge who are top of the form guide in the Ryman Premier League, two points outside the play-offs and approaching three homes games against the three teams directly above them.

Losing 2-0 to bottom three side Soham Town Rangers on Saturday left us with a points return of just one from nine.

Frustratingly all three games could, and should, have been different. Nevertheless we will pick ourselves up and have another go next week. There is not time to feel sorry for yourself. Poor teams blame referees, conditions or team mates. Great teams look at themselves. I know my boys will do better.

As I comfort ate on Saturday evening (KFC for anyone wondering) and thought I was having a bad time I realised our result had confirmed Great Wakering Rovers’ relegation from the Ryman North.

It’s been on the cards for a few weeks but I don’t suppose that will make it any easier for the club to take. I don’t know the circumstances but it won’t have helped having three managers in a season.

Concord Rangers and Canvey Island provide shining examples of clubs that have stuck by their managers, and also managers that have stuck with their clubs, in very trying moments. It’s great to see both are now reaping the benefits.

Make no mistake, the Essex Senior League is unforgiving but Great Wakering will be best positioned to come straight back up providing Brentwood do avoid relegation. Barking will win the league at a canter this season which should provide optimism to our friends at Burroughs Park, especially if they hang on to their promising looking current squad.

If anyone in Green and White needs a silver lining, there is the consolation of taking part in next season’s FA Vase which I would have personally loved another crack at.