BILLERICAY Town Ladies manager Kim Coster wants her side to be challenging for honours after picking up a thumping opening day win.

Goals from Lucy Jones, Lindsey Morgan and Sam Puttock allowed Billericay to get the new FA Women’s National League South East Division One season underway with a 3-0 win at Denham United Ladies.

And Coster admitted her side do not know what to expect in a new division.

Coster, who has been in charge for 17 years, said: “We are going into the unknown this season having made the step up following promotion.

“We never know what we are going to face, but we’re aware that every game is going to be tough.

“We do all of the preparation in training during the week to make sure the players go into the games in the right frame of mind.”

Despite plying their trade in a new division, Billericay got their season off to a flying start and sit in fourth place in the standings following the first round of fixtures.

And although Coster was pleased to pick up the three points, she feels her side were unlucky not to win by more than three goals.

Coster added: “In fairness to my players, they were patient and tried to create a number of chances.

“Credit has to go to Denham because some last ditch defending on a few occasions stopped us scoring a few more goals.

“KK (Karissa Rodney) hit the woodwork twice in the last 20 minutes and I was pleased with how they did not get too frustrated when the pressure wasn’t turning into goals.”

The opening day victory saw a number of players make their debut for the FA Women’s National League South East Division One newcomers.

Billericay have been able to take advantage of the mass exodus from C&K Basildon Ladies during the close season.

Zoe Rushen - who captained C&K Basildon in their record-breaking campaign last year - and star striker Jay Blackie are among those to have joined Rodney in making the short trip from Canvey Island’s Frost Hire Stadium, the home of C&K Basildon, to the AGP Arena.

And Coster confirmed the summer additions have settled in well.

“We were fortunate to pick up some of the C&K Basildon players,” admitted the long-serving manager.

“They have played in the tier above and they have settled in really well.

“We already had a strong squad but the new signings have made us even stronger.”

And Coster is hoping the new signings will help Billericay to enjoy another successful campaign.

“We want to compete and do the best we can,” she said.

“It would be great to try and win the league, but just playing to the best of our ability is the priority.

“My players will give it their all on each matchday and if we encounter any problems, we will address them in training.

“I have been in charge for 17 years now and I’m loving it.

“I was a player myself and I absolutely love the game so, when I had to give up playing due to a knee injury, I decided to do my coaching badges.

“I was then asked to take over at Billericay and I haven’t looked back, to be honest.”