WALTHAM ABBEY gave a strong account of themselves in their first ever Ryman Premier Division encounter against Tooting & Mitcham at the weekend.

The match was the Abbotts’ first at that level in their history, and they showed that they are not out of their depth as Harry Elmes’ second-half strike earned them a point.

However, they followed that up with a 2-1 defeat at home to Maidstone United on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Waltham Forest got their season off to the perfect start in Ryman Division One North with a 1-0 win at Maldon. They were due to play Northwood last night.

Leyton succumbed to East Thurrock United by a narrow 3-2 margin on the first day of the season, although they then managed a 1-1 draw with Ware.