Each week throughout the football season we will be catching up with the action in one of the many amateur leagues in south Essex. This week we review the first month of the Basildon Sunday League season.

SOUTHFIELDS striker Paul Wignall says he is aiming to average three goals a game after his incredible start to the season – although he admits could have been playing in the Premier League.

The Basildon & District Sunday League Premier Division striker has hit a phenomenal 15 goals in five matches at the start of this season, although he admits his career could have taken a very different path.

He was 12 years old when he was hit by a car in London, breaking his leg in two places, and ending any hopes he had of a professional career.

He was on trial with Arsenal at the time but was told he couldn’t play sport again until he was 18, when he had the pins taken out of his leg.

“I am doing well this year,” laughed 30-year-old Wignall. “I am playing well and scoring goals and you can’t ask anymore than that. I want to carry on doing this and think I can get a hat-trick on a regular basis.

“It was a shame what happened when I was younger,” he said. “But there is no avoiding it now and I have done ok. I am enjoying my football now and am confident we can push on this year.”

Wignall, who lives in South Woodham Ferrers, has been scoring for fun with strike partner Adam Green, who has scored four league goals this season, and he says he is loving his football.

“Adam is a great player,” he said. “He is a big, strong player and we complement each other. I think we can really push on this season.”

Southfields have achieved back-to-back promotions and manager Paul Donoghue says he is pleased with his strikers’ form – after helping them to second in the league after five games.

“We can do well this season with those guys in the side,” he said. “I think we can aim for the top three this year and I am excited for the challenge.”

Southfields, who currently sit second in the table, saw their game against Pro-Athletic called off this weekend, so they couldn’t benefit from a slip up by the early leaders Elgar Eagles who fell to a 3-2 defeat at home to Maryland Sports.

Billy Colton, Alex Dorney and Perry Nunn scored for Marylands who are three points off the lead in fourth.

Southfields are second, three points back on Elgar with two games in hand, with Pendle third.

In division one, Pro Athletic B have an 100 per cent record after five games, with their latest victory, a 2-1 win, coming at Bunch United on Sunday.

Signet and Fryerns are also unbeaten and sit second and third.

Talwin’s Callum Leader tops the early season scoring charts with nine goals in four games.

In division two, FC Redwing and Woodlands Athletic both have 100 per cent records with Redwing on top of the pile thanks to having played a game more.

Hayden Evans, of Sparco European, tops the scoring charts with six goals in five games.