Isthmian League One North, Sunday 11th February
Game two of my weekend saw me over at a familiar surrounding of The Len Salmon Stadium although not a recent familiar side in Bowers & Pitsea who I haven't seen so much since they won promotion out of the Essex Senior League some years ago now, and as I was passing on my way back from my step mum's I felt it was a good opportunity to go and watch them again after some time away.
They welcomed Gorleston to their surroundings in what was an Isthmian League North contest, both sides were in pretty good form of late, the hosts sat fourth in the standings and in the play off spots after a run of seven games without defeat, Gorleston themselves had just seen a seven game unbeaten run come to an end in their last outing, and they were in eleventh spot and kind of in non mans land in the table although that run had taken them well away from the drop zone at least. (although it looks certain that Stowmarket Town will be relegated along with the now defunct East Thurrock United)
This then could well be a good match up between to confident sides, the hosts were obviously playing for much more in terms of what they could achieve at the end of the season although this didn't mean that the visitors would not try and win as many games as they could before the season was out and see where they could end up (they began the day seventeen points off the play offs, so an unlikely target however ambitious some may be).
The first half saw the hosts edge the contest in terms of openings, but there wasn't an awful lot between them which was expected after the form they had both been in, and it seemed the opening half would probably end goalless, but then came two goals in as many minutes, firstly in the 38th minute when Dion Frary met a corner from the right to power home a header and give the visitors the lead.
But, just two minutes later Bowers were level with a perfect response to going behind as a hosts corner from Benas Viavada found Lewis Chambers who sent a downward header into the bottom corner, and the sides still went into the break all square, but it wasn't goalless, although it was a nice burst of action at the end of the half for sure.
The sides traded chances early in the second period, Soloman Addy saw an effort deflect inches wide of the post before a great block from Malakai Hyman denied Frary from restoring the visitors lead, and then Jake Jessup then produced a brilliant save to deny Matt Price after he had been slipped in by Ben Williamson.
But thereafter Gorleston really had some chances to get their noses in front as they certainly had the better of the second period, Lewis Johnson burst towards the hosts area but could only drag an effort wide, and then Adam Tann then snuck in at the back post but somehow saw his close range effort saved by David Hughes.
Jacek Zielonka then saw an acrobatic effort go wide of the target before a corner to the front post found Ryan Curtis but he saw his shot go just past the far post, Bowers then did have an opportunity but saw Jessup get down well to deny Vaivada, but probably the best player on the pitch, Gorleston's Ismael Fatadjo, fired a brilliant free kick at goal but he found Hughes equal to it to tip over superbly and keep the score line level.
Bowers did have a chance to nick it late on but Vaivada and Price sort of got in each others way after almost getting through the visitors firm back line, and allowed keeper Jessup to come and deny Thomas Stagg at his feet, this would have been very harsh on Gorleston though had they stolen a win as the visitors certainly created more than enough to win this one in the second period.
It ended all square though meaning neither side gains to much from it and stay as they were in the table, Bowers increasing their gap to sixth placed Maldon & Tiptree to four points the only gain on the day I guess, oh and they are now eight unbeaten which isn't to be sniffed at, it was a hard earned point that was for sure. Another gain on the day was for me as I was invited into the boardroom at half time and full time, and they allowed me to leave my bag in their during the game as well.
Many thanks to Barry Hubbard for the gesture, it's very much appreciated, Bowers are a great community club and they deserve all the success that comes their way.
Full time Bowers & Pitsea 1 Gorleston 1
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