On a warm sunny morning the season started as it had the year before with a fixture against Rainham 84 Devils at Borstal.
Last season both fixtures against this opposition left 60 taking all the points but were anything but comfortable.
With a full side to choose from two new players made their first competitive starts for the Lions, both making significant contributions.
The first 5-10 mins were scrappy. A tight midfield with very little time on the ball and very quick turnovers in possession.
It was from such a scenario the first goal arrived.
Good solid defending from Calum Kurentas resulting in a high ball forward, controlled expertly on the halfway line by Ethan Calthorpe.
His next touch was an exquisite through ball to the flying Charlie Bravo. In behind the left back and with pace to burn Bravo drove forward and struck a low shot to put the Lions ahead.
More pleasing was the fact Bravo had been asked to be more selfish in the summer when in similar positions and didn’t let anyone down with this finish.
Five minutes later it was two nil.
Almost a carbon copy of the first goal, this time with a through ball from midfield. In a wider position Bravo played the ball across goal and in doing so was clattered after the ball had gone leaving little option but for the award of a penalty.
Captain Finlay Smith stepped up, kept calm and finished to put the Lions 2-0 up.
Further chances came and went Harvey Usman showing great feet and pace to get in one against one with the keeper , only for the keeper to make a great double save.
Jack Quarrington having come on for Smith after 20 mins showed his intent with a free kick from 25 yards smacking the crossbar, Bravo again putting one just wide of the far past, and Calthorpe unfortunate not to get another penalty after some awkward looking tackles on him.
Rainham 84 to their credit, didn’t force any obvious opening, mainly due to the well marshalled defence, but they never stopped working and it was always a tight affair.
Half time 2-0.
Second half started in the worst possible fashion for the Lions with two substitutes having to come off due to injuries. So slight reshuffles meant a slightly disjointed start.
A similar pattern to the first half ensued with a battle in the middle of the park and nothing too much happening in either goal mouth.
The reintroduction of Smith, Usman and Bravo with 20 minutes to go seemed to give that spark that the game had started to lack.
Stability back In the middle of the park and flair going forward.
Bravo warmed the keepers hands with a powerful shot from the angle, then clipped the bar as he had another shot from 20 yards.
Usman with quick feet tying defenders in knots but just not getting the final ball off to team mate. It looked like a third goal would go the way of the home side if one was to come and it duly arrived.
Usman driving to the byline, getting his head up and pulling it back to Smith who scored from 18 yards with a low first time drive to put the Lions 3 up.
A few very dangerous corners from Quarrington evaded everyone when just needing that final touch.
Just as it looked like the Lions would see the game out a momentary lapse left an opportunity for 84 with five minutes to go.
A ball bouncing around the edge of the home sides box was expertly controlled and lobbed over home keeper Max Phillips, who back pedalled quickly enough to get a hand to it but just not enough to prevent it going in.
A few speculative efforts from both sides, a few half chances created once more by Bravo but that was enough to see the Lions to a 3-1 win.
Numerous good performances by the Lions.
Parents man of the match was split between Jack Galton who superbly marshalled the back line and Connor Easdown who grew as the game went on and became an imperious figure in centre midfield winning tackles and breaking up play.
The managers choice was Tommy Nye. His first game back at the club winning every header, protecting his defenders, breaking up play and switching position with the minimum of fuss at a point when 60 needed to get control back.