EAST Thurrock United defender Ryan Scott said he was never going to miss an opening day reunion with former club Billericay Town.

The 22-year-old centre-back left Town under a cloud towards the end of last season after a dispute with manager Craig Edwards, before linking up with Ryman Premier League rivals Rocks earlier this summer.

Scott looked set to be ruled out of the match after suffering a broken cheekbone early in pre-season but he made a speedy recovery and impressed in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Concord Rangers.

And he is now looking forward to taking on his old employers tomorrow, albeit sooner than he expected.

“I know you have to play every team but I guess I didn’t expect it to happen so soon,” said Scott.

“It is exciting to get started though and I have been impressed with everything since I came here. It is a good group and the training sessions have been really enjoyable too so we head into this match in good shape.

“I really wanted to play in this one so even though an x-ray would probably say my cheekbone has not 100 per cent healed I feel as though it has. I feel ready.

“I have linked up well with Rickie (Hayles) and we get on well on and off the pitch which is important so hopefully we will have a successful season.”

Scott left Billericay in April, having been fined for ‘gross misconduct’ by the club. He claimed he had been mistreated and disrespected by the management at New Lodge and made the announcement he was to leave.

However, as a player under the age of 25 and under contract, Town were entitled to compensation and a deal was agreed with East Thurrock.

And Scott said he was pleased to make the move.

“I was at Billericay for two years and it was a shame I left on bad terms,” he said. “I am just pleased Covo (manager John Coventry) was able to sort things out with them and I was able to join.

“We believe we can do something this year and you have to otherwise you won’t enjoy any success. We have top quality players and if you can avoid injuries and get off to a good start then why shouldn’t we do well?

“The league is so open this year and it is about minimising the damage in the early games, picking up some points and showing what you can do. You can’t win the league in August but you can go some way to losing it.”

Both East Thurrock and Billericay go into the match with clean bills of health.

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