You could say that last season's Southend District League Premier Division runners-up Rochford Town had a ball when the new Southend District League season got underway.

For C Ball scored two of the goals as they triumphed 5-4 over AFC Hadleigh in a nine-goal thriller. Newly-promoted Hockley and Hawkwell and Thundersley Rovers both lost their first games in the top flight. H and H lost 4-3 at home to Sparkbridge despite Powell scoring two goals for them. Ashlin's double boosted the winners.

Thundersley also went down at home, Parma Sports being the side to beat them 3-1. In Division One Armada Sports put last season's relegation behind them and sailed to a 4-2 win over Stanford Wanderers. Cogger grabbed two of the goals for Armada.

Newly-promoted Belvedere were too strong for hosts Rayleigh and won 3-2 with Brown grabbing a hat-trick.

In Division Two Watson slammed in four goals as Bicknacre started their season with a 7-1 demolition of Hockley and Hawkwell Reserves.

Boundary, who narrowly missed promotion last season, kicked off in style with a 7-2 win at Sparkbridge Reserves.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.