Takeley all set for Essex Senior League kick-off

Takeley begin their Essex Senior League campaign at Hullbridge Sports on Saturday with boss Marc Das admitting Lower Road has not been a happy hunting ground for him in the past.

Das’ troops rounded off pre-season with a 6-0 thumping of Braintree Town Reserves on Tuesday and have one training session left ahead of the trip to Sports.

Of pre-season, Das, who joined the club at the start of the summer, told the Broadcast: “We’ve had a very good programme of games.

“The squad is coming together really well and there’s a great team spirit developing.

“Both players and staff are all looking forward to it to build on a good pre-season.

“Hullbridge for me has never been a good place to go so we are looking to turn that around on Saturday.

“I’m in a predicament with the squad as I have 20-odd players to choose from.

“It’s a great problem to have with so many fighting for places.”

Takeley finished 18th in the table last term and have higher aspirations under the ex-Sawbridgeworth Town boss.

“The staff have been good and said they are wanting to get around halfway and improve on last season,” he said.

“A few good teams have come down into the league, but we have to be pushing for the top six, in a season that would be great, it will tell as the time goes if we can add to that.”

After praising the quality of the Station Road pitch and the work done to it b the club’s staff, Das admitted his side will have different ways of playing at home and away during the campaign.

He added: “We have to have a particular style, we have a footballing pitch so will have a style for at home and a style for away depending on the state of the pitches we play on.”

Takeley’s first home game of the season is next Tuesday (August 2, 7.45pm kick-off) against London Bari.