SOUTHEND Manor got their season off to a flier with a thumping 4-1 win at home to Clapton.

In a game which kicked-off at 1pm, Manor youth academy product Wilf Msiska put them in front on 14 minutes, before Christian Mkwangazi equalised for the visitors.

But Manor went back in front with a penalty from Gary Paterson on 33 minutes, and added a third a minute after the re-start through Dan Stanley.

Rickie Allen added a fourth with 20 minutes to go to seal a great day for Russell Faulkner’s side.

But it was two defeats and a draw for our other three sides in the division.

Basildon UNITED took an eighth minute lead against Barkingside through Yew Dansa.

But the visitors levelled through Craig Roberts five minutes before the interval with a goal which the Bees felt was handball.

Joe Ellul then claimed a brace with goals from a corner then a free-kick to seal a 3-1 win for the visitors.

And Basildon’s misery was compounded with the late dismissal of Anton Dwyer for lashing out at a player following a tackle.

BOWERS & PITSEA also got off to a losing start at home to Bethnal Green United, and also had a man dismissed – Callum Leahy seeing two yellows then red on the stroke of half-time.

Danny Gabriel, Darryl Wilson and Jay Leader were all on target for the visitors.

Those two defeats make Basildon's trip to Bowers on Wednesday even more interesting.

HULLBRIDGE SPORTS drew 1-1 at home to Witham Town, with the hosts’ goal coming from Chris Brown after John Watson had put Witham in front.