CANVEY Island were indebted to Mitch Gilbey’s stunning first half goal as they began their season with victory against Barking.

Gilbey struck home from almost 40 yards to win the match for Danny Heale’s side.

But it could have started so badly for the hosts. After just 27 seconds Steve Sheehan committed a foul in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot.

But debutant Harry Palmer was the hero as he stood up to Darrell Russell’s poor penalty.

But the breakthrough goal was one to remember. Gilbey hammered home a free-kick from more than 40 yards to open the scoring on 17 minutes.

The same man forced a good save from Emmanuel Olajide in the Barking goal ten minutes later as the pressure intensified.

It wasn’t until the second half that the pressure from the hosts started to grow.

But the hosts were a growing influence and Abs Seymour forced a flying save from Palmer between the home posts.

Russell headed over the crossbar while George Sykes blazed an injury-time effort off target.

Bowers & Pitsea played out a goalless draw at new boys Coggeshall Town in their first game of term.

A great chance fell the way of the visitors with just 10 minutes on the clock but debutant Max Cornhill’s low strike was expertly blocked.

Another man making his debut was goalkeeper Andy Wilton and he was needed to halt Coggeshall the game’s first goal midway through a goal, making a smart save.

But there was to be no breakthrough come the close.

Garry Kimble’s reign in charge of Great Wakering Rovers got off to a losing start.

The Isthmian North newcomers, who were crowned Essex Senior League champions last season, were condemned to a 3-0 defeat by Romford at East Thurrock United’s Rookery Hill.

Two goals inside the opening 10 minutes put the hosts into a commanding position.

Despite getting off to a promising start, Wakering fell behind with just five minutes played as Kris Newby’s long range strike curled beyond goalkeeper Matthew Nolan and into the bottom corner of the net.

And Romford doubled their advantage five minutes later as Jonathan Nzengo rounded off an impressive move with a close range header.

The visitors were handed a glorious chance to halve the deficit as Wakering were awarded a penalty just past the half an hour mark.

Jake Gordon was brought down and referee Tom Danaher did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.

However, Wakering could not take advantage as Gordon sent his spot-kick over the crossbar.

Romford completed the scoring after 73 minutes as Roddy Lemba calmly slotted home following a fantastic run from substitute Ernest Okoh.

And it was to prove to be a disappointing start for Kimble.