East London club travel to Takeley this weekend before shorter journey to West Essex on Tuesday

Sporting Bengal United boss Imrul Gazi is excited to visit Takeley on the opening weekend of the new Essex Senior League season.

It is a tough test for the east London club, as they face a side who won the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy and League Challenge Cup earlier this year.

But after an excellent pre-season, Gazi is excited to see his team play at Station Road tomorrow (Saturday).

He said: “Takeley is a great game to start off with and I have a lot of respect for them as a club.

“They have great facilities and the best pitch in the league, but hopefully we can take our pre-season form into the match.

“We have been playing some brilliant football, so it would be fantastic to show that on Saturday.”

Gazi knows Bengal face a tough challenge at the weekend, but has plenty of belief his team can spring a surprise.

Towards the end of last season the Mile End Stadium club pulled off a couple of shock results.

And after adding to their squad this summer, Bengal will aim to show that was not just a one-off.

“It is good to start against one of the bigger clubs and you have to face them all in the end,” admitted Gazi.

“I am sure Takeley would have changed some personnel during the summer and they will have a few new faces, but we are looking to hit the ground running.

“My target for Saturday is some type of result and I would be happy with a win or draw, and I feel we can achieve that because we have been so good in pre-season.”

After travelling up the M11 to face Takeley, Bengal will have a shorter journey on Tuesday night.

Gazi takes his team along the busy A13 to Barking’s Mayesbrook Park to face West Essex for a 7.45pm kick-off.

Last season was West Essex’s first in the Essex Senior League and they finished a respectable 13th-place.

“West Essex did really well and started brilliantly before suffering a dip and then ending strongly,” said Gazi.

“It was their first year in the division, so to finish mid-table is really respectable and they’ll be looking to improve.

“I do think every game in the league this season is going to be a test and there will not be any easy matches because of relegation.

“You can’t afford to be missing players, so that is why I am happy with the depth we now have in our squad.

“I feel we are in a good place and hopefully we are not near the relegation places come the end of the season.”