On Saturday 5 September, Basildon United welcomed Clapton Community to the DST Stadium for an Essex Senior League clash, with both sides looking to secure their first league win of the season.

The Bees made two changes to the starting line-up, with James Taylor returning in place of Harry Hearn, while Reece McGovern made his first start for the club, replacing the unavailable Ibrahim Adi.

McGovern marked his first start with an assist inside the opening ten minutes. In the 9th minute, he reacted quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the Basildon box, clearing it downfield. Chinedu Duru then applied pressure to the Clapton defence, winning the ball before calmly passing it into an empty net to give the Bees an early lead and score his second goal of the season.

Basildon continued to put pressure on the Clapton defence, with Lesedi Mbegabolawe and Oluwatise Biyi-Akinsuyi repeatedly beating their full-backs and creating opportunities. Despite the good work on the flanks, the Bees were unable to add to their advantage.

The second goal finally arrived in the 24th minute. A Spiros Lagopodis corner caused problems in the Clapton penalty area, and with the visitors unable to clear their lines, Bade Aleketu got a crucial touch to the ball to double Basildon's lead.

Clapton came out brighter after the break and enjoyed long spells of possession as they looked for a way back into the game. However, Basildon defended resolutely, with the back line standing firm and Enri Kalsi producing a number of important interventions in goal.

Kalsi also wore the captain's armband for the first time, leading the Bees as they successfully saw out the second half to secure a deserved 2–0 victory, three valuable league points and, importantly, a clean sheet.