Buckhurst Hill’s preparations for the upcoming Essex Olympian League Premier Division campaign were boosted after they thrashed local rivals Epping Town 7-2 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The Essex club, who are managed by Mark Williams, return to the Premier Division after one season away, having won the Senior One title by ten points last campaign, losing just one of their 23 league games.

A thoroughly successful season for the club was rounded off in May when they won the BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup, as second half goals from Sam Sollosi and Jose Espinoza secured a 2-0 victory over Premier Division champions Catholic United.

Buckhurst Hill have managed to build on that form during pre-season so far as well, recording victories over Essex Senior League sides Woodford Town and Clapton prior to Saturday’s game against Epping. Those results were then backed up by a narrow defeat to Hullbridge Sports.

Epping, who are managed by former Ilford boss Billy Cove, started brightly against Buckhurst Hill at the weekend and they took the lead early on after a defender was allowed to get away from his marker and head home from a corner.

But two goals in quick succession from Mark Williams’ men handed them the lead at half-time.

Epping got back on level terms ten minutes after the restart after a good team move but Bukchurst Hill’s quality would prevail in the end, with the Premier Division side scoring five unanswered goals to hand them a comprehensive 7-2 victory.

Buckhurst Hill’s final friendly will take place on Saturday against Saffron Walden Reserves, before their Premier Division campaign kicks off with a home tie against Old Southendians on Saturday, August 18.