HOCKEY: Basildon Ladies first team started the new season with a crushing 4-0 win over Maidstone seconds at Gloucester Park.

Following a cagey opening 20 minutes, Basildon took the lead when Sarah Winmill fired home from a well-worked short corner.

Winmill added a second five minutes later following good approach play down the right, and Lauren Burton added a third minutes into the second half.

Then Maidstone were given a penalty flick, but home keeper Lisa Ballard forced the ball wide to maintain her side’s 3-0 advantage.

And they stretched their lead following a quick break and dogged persistence near Maistone’s goal, when skipper and player-of-the-match Kaylea Howard fired home.

The result left Basildon on top of the opening-day East Women’s League Division 2SE table.

And they will be hoping to build on the bright start when they host Sevenoaks on Saturday.

In East Division 1S, Rebecca Prosser scored a consolation goal as SOUTHEND’S first team lost 2-1 at Broxbourne. They will be hoping for a better result on Saturday when the host Waltham Forest’s first team.

And in Essex Division 1, OLD SOUTHENDIAN’S first team started with a 0-0 at home to Wapping fourths. They have an away game at Romford on Saturday.

l The men’s hockey teams begin their league programme on Saturday.

SOUTHEND’S firsts are away to Bedford Town seconds in the East Men’s League Division 2.

And OLD SOUTHENDIAN host Upminster firsts in an East Division 1 clash.