The Blues are back at home! After a number of away games in recent weeks, the Blues are back at the Maurice Rebak Stadium for the first time since we drew with Chichester over three weeks ago. Since then, we travelled to Dover Athletic and secured an excellent 2-1 win, before seeing a narrow 1-0 defeat knock us out of the FA Trophy against Chatham last Saturday.
Our Opponents
Bowers & Pitsea have returned to the Isthmian Premier League this season after just one season away. In 2022/23, Bowers found themselves occupying 19th place, the final relegation spot, and were subsequently relegated to the Isthmian North Division. In Step 4, Bowers had a great season, not dropping out of the playoff positions after November, and only finishing five points behind the eventual champions, Lowestoft Town. In the playoffs, Bowers held their nerve in not one, but two penalty shootouts, beating Felixstowe & Walton in the semi-final after a late equaliser from F&W took the game to extra time. A tight game against Brentwood Town ended 1-1 after 120 minutes in the final, before Bowers won the penalty shootout to secure their return to the Isthmian Premier at the first time of asking.
Bowers & Pitsea have found themselves in both the Isthmian North and Premier throughout much of the last decade, promoted into that division in the 2015/16 season, spending a few years there before further promotion to the Isthmian Premier in 2018/19.
So far this season, Bowers & Pitsea have seven points from nine games (W2 D1 L6) which puts them in 20th place of 22 in the Isthmian Premier League; nine places but only four points below the Blues, however Bowers have played a game more. Most recently, Bowers have had some good results, bouncing back from a 2-0 home defeat to early pacesetters Lewes with an excellent 4-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet and following that up with a 3-0 win over Real Bedford in the FA Trophy.
Did you know? Formerly known as Bowers United, the club absorbed Pitsea FC in 2004, taking on their name in the process.
Head to Head
Our last clashes with Bowers came in 2022/23, as the Blues rallied throughout the second half of the season to finish 16th on 48 points, while Bowers were relegated, the season ending with Bowers in 19th with 33 points. In that season, the sides faced each other three times. First, the Blues came out on top in an FA Cup clash with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from defender Yannis Ambroisine, who now finds himself amongst the Bowers squad in 2024/25.
Our trip to the Len Salmon Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw but it was the clash at the Maurice Rebak Stadium which stole the headlines that season. Bowers had an excellent start to the second half to take a three goal lead in the 75th minute before the Blues scored FOUR times in the final minutes of the game; a Dylan Kearney double from the penalty spot (82' and 86') before goalkeeper Ben Goode netted an unlikely equaliser (90+4') and there was still time for Antonis Vasiliou to net a winner in the 8th minute of additional time to break Bowers hearts on Valentine's Day.
Last Time Out
It was FA Trophy duties for both sides last weekend, with contrasting outcomes. The Blues had a narrow 1-0 defeat at Chatham Town, while two goals for Alex Teniola and one for TQ Addy saw Bowers to a 3-0 win over Step 4 side Real Bedford.
Players To Watch
Alex Teniola's two goals on Saturday were his second and third in his four matches so far for the visitors, after he opened his account for Bowers against Dulwich Hamlet the week before. Teniola previously played for Hashtag United for two seasons, scoring 18 goals in their promotion campaign and 14 goals last season in the Isthmian Premier. Teniola himself has a large social following through his "TeniolaTime" content. Bowers have three past Blues in their ranks, with midfielder Brian Garzon joining Bowers in recent weeks after his departure earlier this season, defender Dexter Peter who left the Blues in 2022, and the aforementioned Yannis Ambroisine who departed during 2022/23. All three ex-Blues will be ones to watch as they return to the Maurice Rebak Stadium.
For the Blues, Loic Hernandez has made a couple of cameo appearances from the bench in recent weeks as he returns to fitness, and provides extra competition in the Blues defence. Meanwhile midfielder Ryan Lowe stepped up his return to the side on Saturday with 30 minutes off the bench, after he made an excellent start to the campaign in the Blues midfield, netting twice.
Tuesday's game is a 7.45pm kick off and tickets can be purchased in advance here or on the gate. Our bar opens approx 90 minutes before kick off and hot food can be purchased in the ground. Cash and card is accepted at all pay-points. We look forward to welcoming you to the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Tuesday!
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.
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