ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE: Basildon United are in buoyant mood ahead of this weekend’s match with Sporting Bengal United, after a thumping midweek win.

Bees beat Newham 4-0 thanks to strikes from player/ manager Craig Gillam, Brad Hunter, Bradley Warner and Jordan Williams to lift them to sixth in the standings, with games in hand on the sides above them.

And they will be confident of making it five wins in six games against 16th place Sporting Bengal.

Bowers & Pitsea dropped their first points of the season in their last outing against Wadham Lodge but will be expecting to take full points away from their match with Eton Manor.

Manager Rob Small could welcome back Alfie Hilton, Rob Whitnell and Chris Bryan from injury, although he does have a doubt over Vinny Durrant after he was on the wrong end of a crunching tackle last time out.

Southend Manor will be looking to stop the rot after conceding 15 goals in the last three games, although they will be up against a tough opponent in the shape of Wadham Lodge.

Wayne Seal is without Ross Casson, Reiss Meacham and concussed Dave Reynolds, who is still in hospital after a clash in midweek. James Lacey and Nick Henesy are away.