LITTLE Oakley started their new Essex Senior League campaign with a 2-0 win at White Ensign, writes LARRY DOBKIN.

With Dobkin (retired), L Mayhew (moved to Harwich Town), Ekow Owusu-Boakye (left to play in step 4) and Joyce moved to (Holland FC) leaving, several new players have joined the Oakley squad.

Sibbons (defender), N Rowe (midfielder), Bedingfield (goalkeeper) will strengthen the team.

Oakley started well and after only three minutes were awarded a free-kick on the left wing, ten yards outside the 18-yard box.

From Nathan Rowe's free-kick, Mann beat the Ensign defenders to the ball and with a delicate glancing header found to corner of the net to put Oakley 1-0 up.

With Johnson pulling the strings in midfield and Mann a constant handful, Oakley attacked down the left-hand wing.

Mann cut in field and crossed to the near post where Davis intercepted and put the ball out for a corner.

N Rowe took the corner which went through a of players in the centre of the area, leaving Wood at the back post making a valiant attempt to nudge the ball over the line only to see the ball go straight out of play for a goal-kick.

From the goal-kick, Evison picked the ball up and played a long ball into the Oakley area where Portway headed towards goal stretch Bedingfield who pushed the ball around the post.

The play was then stopped for off-side.

With only two minutes remaining in the first half, Oakley continued to press and gained a free-kick.

James played the ball into the Ensign area where the ball was bouncing about in the six-yard area.

Johnson managed to swivel and fire in a shot which deflected off Jenkins and in, to give Oakley a 2-0 lead at the break.

The second half started the same way the first half ended.

Johnson won the ball in midfield and skilfully found Lumley moving down the wing.

A hard-driven cross saw Mann sliding into the centre of the goal and marginally guiding the ball on the wrong side of the post.

Little Oakley had several further chances with Harman and Mann heading wide and Dan Rowe's powerful effort hitting the bar and going out of play.

Ensign did have a penalty appeal rejected when the ball hit Nobbs on the chest in the area but Oakley will be very happy with the three points.

Oakley's man of the match was Elliott Johnson Silky who ran the game from midfield.

Oakley take on FC Clacton in the FA Cup, on Saturday.