THE new Ryman League season began disastrously for the five local clubs with only Marlow picking up any points.

They returned from their clash at Clive Walker's Molesey with a useful point from a 1-1 draw.

But elsewhere it was a weekend of woe.

Premier Division Chesham United were given an early wake up call when they were spanked 5-1 at home by FA Trophy holders Canvey Island.

The writing was on the wall when United had Lee Kersey sent off in the early exchanges but it did not stop ten-man Chesham taking the lead through new signing Paul Fewings.

The former Boston United striker, who only joined the club on Friday, opened his acocunt on the half hour.

But the Islanders hit back with a Steve Tilson penalty before the break and it was one way traffic after that as Chesham tired and Canvey piled on the pressure.

Tilson went onto add a second from the penalty spot and goals from Wayne Vaughan, Steve Parmenter and former Colchster United professional Neil Gregory completed the rout.

In the division below Thame United also suffered an opening-day home defeat, going down 2-1 against Ford United, despite taking the lead after just three minutes.

In Division Three, Flackwell Heath lost 3-0 to Edgware, while Chalfont went down 3-1 at Corinthian Casuals.