Waltham Abbey assistant boss Ryan Handley was delighted with the side’s display against Cheshunt after they recorded their first win of the season in the Bostik South Central Division.

Ronnie Winn netted a first half double, while Charlie Stimson, Rob Clark and substitute Ibrahim Kehinde also got on the scoresheet, as Abbey secured a 5-3 victory over their local rivals.

That win was the club’s first under new manager Mark Stimson, after the side narrowly lost their opening match of the campaign against Bracknell Town last week.

It has been a summer of change at the Capershotts Stadium, with former Thurrock boss Stimson taking over the managerial reigns following Paul Joynes’ resignation in May.

Handley followed Stimson to Abbey, after the duo worked together at Thurrock, and a number of new faces moved to the club ahead of the side’s first season in the newly created Bostik South Central Division.

Winning undoubtedly breeds confidence and following defeat in their first match in charge, Handley was delighted to bounce back in style against Abbey’s local rivals.

He said: “The performance was very good. Obviously it was a local derby so it was nice to get one over our local rivals. But the most important thing was three points.

“It was a very good performance in the first half as we came out of the blocks rather quickly and put away the chances we had. Second half, Cheshunt came at us, which we thought they would and they did that really well.

“But we withstood the pressure and got to a position where we were 5-1 up. Unfortunately, Cheshunt got a couple right at the end, but obviously it didn’t make any difference. The most important thing is that we got three points on the board.

“As I mentioned before when speaking to you, most of the new players we worked with during our Thurrock days.

“A couple have come in that weren’t there with us. Ross Dedman, who we got from Haringey Borough, came in at the weekend and did very well. Rob Clark and Greig Stewart have also come in to join us along with a few of the other boys. They are doing well.

“As I say, it’s a working progress, but it’s coming together very slowly.”

The Abbotts got off to a flying start on Saturday and seconds after missing a spot-kick, Winn was handed the perfect chance to make amends when Abbey were awarded a second penalty when Ellis Brown was brought down inside the area.

Winn made no mistake this time, smashing the ball past the Cheshunt goalkeeper and he went from goal scorer to provider ten minutes before the break, whipping in a corner which was headed home by Stimson.

Winn made it three just before the break and after Nathan Koranteng pulled one back for the visitors, Clark restored Abbey’s three goal advantage with a great strike from outside the box.

The Abbotts were cruising by this point and Kehinde made it five with four minutes remaining after rounding the goalkeeper.

There was still time for Cheshunt to score two late consolations, but Abbey managed to hold on to secure a deserved three points.

Having been at the Capershotts Stadium for three months now, Handley says both he and Stimson are enjoying their time at the club, with the duo looking forward to the challenge ahead.

Handley said: “As I said to you before, the guys at Waltham Abbey have made us very welcome. The first game didn’t go our way, but it was a very close game with only one goal in it and unfortunately Bracknell got it. The performance was very good. We got the fruits of our labour on Saturday and hopefully that continues. But we’re settling in very well here.”