KEITH Wilson is pleased by the progress of his Burnham Ramblers side but is hoping they can stay injury free.

As his preparations for the new Essex Senior League continue it has seen the Leslie Field side beat Ryman League division north Tilbury 2-0, lose out 5-2 to Ryman Premier East Thurrock on Saturday and fall to a 5-1 defeat against Thurlow Nunn premier division Brantham Athletic on Tuesday night.

And there is no let up for the Ramblers manager as he puts his side through their paces again tonight as they host Essex Olympian League Kelvedon Hatch and then entertain Ryman division north Aveley on Saturday before travelling to Thurlow Nunn division one Wivenhoe Town next Tuesday.

Wilson said: “Overall I am pleased with the way things are going.

“The results aren’t overly important at the moment in pre-season.

“But we are scoring goals, Bradley Nobbs got two against East Thurrock.

“If I was going to be a bit critical of that game we should have made more of our chances.

“We had a further two gilt-edged chances and really should have been 4-1 up at half-time.

“I made eight changes at half-time and they made only two or three and that made them stronger.

“And they are a side from higher up the division than us and so I was pleased with the performance.

“It was only our second game together and they are still learning about each other.”

Wilson was also pleased that his players have so far come through their pre-season campaign unscathed.

He added: “The good thing is that no-one has picked up any injuries and the players are getting minutes on the park. The games are coming thick and fast at the moment.

“I played one team against Brantham on Tuesday and I will play another side against Kelvedon tonight.

“So by Saturday and then against Wivenhoe next Tuesday I should be down to my final 16 squad players, barring injuries.

“And that’s what I want to avoid, hopefully we will not pick up many injuries.

“Players are building partnerships and, more importantly, they are listening to what we want them to do.

“So I do have a positive feeling ahead of the season but we are rebuilding and we are taking small steps.”

Wilson also revealed that they had signed midfielder Joe Paxman, on dual registration, from East Thurrock.

In the draw for the Essex Senior Cup showdown Burnham have received a bye to the second round.

Ramblers face a trip to Waltham Forest following the draws which were conducted by FC Clacton manager David Coyle and Halstead Town counterpart Mark Benterman.

First-round draw (tie to be played on or before September 5): Stansted v Stanway Rovers, Saffron Walden Town v FC Clacton, Hullbridge Sports v Barking.

Second-round draw (to be played on or before October 3): Wivenhoe Town v Stansted or Stanway Rovers, Bowers & Pitsea v Wadham Lodge, Ilford v Saffron Walden Town or FC Clacton, Newham v Basildon United, Hullbridge Sports or Barking v Southend Manor, Halstead Town v Takeley, Waltham Forest v Burnham Ramblers.