I couldn't have asked for more in my first game in charge at Wakering Sports. Before the game I told the players we needed to work hard, run and match Basildon for effort because I knew they would be coming for a result to get their season started. We needed to score quickly and despite being in control for the best part, we couldn't find that final ball.

The two quick-fire goals in the second half calmed things down for us I think. Pallet's first goal was a stunner, and gave the guys the impotus, the confidence, to push on and take the game as far away from Basildon as we could. We looked more composed, were passing better, we were getting behind the ball to defend as a group. After Sharp's goal and then Pallet nipping in at the far post for our third, I thought it was late on enough that we close the game down and protect the clean sheet. Clean sheets bring confidence and it was disappointing to concede, but credit to Basildon, they kept plugging away and to be fair, got a goal their efforts deserved.

As we made some subs late on, we didn't see as much of the ball after that, which was a problem, but with Basildon scoring late on, their tails up, they had the bit between their teeth.

We're looking to make more signings, and these are in progress, but I can't say too much about things at the moment. I didn't want to just come in, with the proverbial broom, and sweep out a host of players. I wanted to see the current players as they're the ones who have given their time to the club so was only fair. But, we've got to match the ambition off the pitch, and all the changes that are going on, with results on the pitch and pushing those standards up too. With that in mind, John and I are looking to bring in players to match that ambition.