Bowers bounce back!

It seemed like only yesterday since we were watching Brentwood Town in a Play Off Final. By the same token, the memories of watching today’s hosts, Bowers and Pitsea, run Lincoln City mightily close in the First Round of the FA Cup were also rather fresh. The 21-22 campaign was momentous for both clubs, and yet it was followed by a season which both would like to forget- but redemption was on offer this afternoon at the Len Salmon. We were ready for Bowers v Blues, with the prize a place in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier.

The hosts relegation from our top flight last season was almost an anomaly given their previous success. An Essex Senior League title in 2016, a North Division play off place in 2018, the title in 2019, that magnificent FA Cup run in 21-22- the denizens of this part of Essex had got used to experiencing only good times, so succumbing to the drop hurt. Indeed, it hurt a lot. This season, however, had seen a return to good times- a play off spot secured early, no last-gasp drama, and an eleven point gap between themselves and sixth place Walthamstow allowed the home support to relax a little. Tuesday’s Play Off Semi Final at Felixstowe and Walton United certainly wasn’t relaxing, however, as twice they let a lead slip in added time to end up with a dreaded shootout, before triumphing mainly due to the efforts of keeper David Hughes. Hughes, by the way, was looking for a third North Division promotion in a row, after success with Aveley and AFC Sudbury in the previous two seasons, which we suspect would be something of a record.

Brentwood came within a whisker of promotion during that 21-22 campaign. The Blues, who were last in our top flight in 2016- saw their season end in a Play Off Final at Canvey Island, and in a continually exciting match were arguably the better side and had the better chances, but after a one-one draw saw their nerve escape them when it came to a shootout. They were very much one of the promotion favourites last season, but perhaps the expectation and disappointment weighed heavily on them as they never looked like repeating their success, ending the season a disappointing eighth, forty three points behind champions Hashtag United and seventeen short of a top five spot. This season had been different again- they entered the top five after eleven matches and hardly ever dropped out of it again, eventually securing their play off spot by a clear ten points. Tuesday’s Semi-Final at Bury Town turned out to be a classic, with one particular clip going viral on social media and featuring on Sky Sports, and after a goalless ninety minutes the Blues eventually triumphed by three goals to one. We expected both sides to be full of confidence.

It was rather difficult to pick a favourite. Both sides had taken three points from each other this season, both victories coming away from home- and indeed both had better away form than home form, Town winning significantly more matches on the road than any other side in their Division- indeed, across the entire Pitching In Isthmian League, only Chertsey Town, Cray Valley PM, and tomorrow’s Play Off Final hosts Marlow had won more matches on the road. Perhaps that gave Brentwood a slight advantage? That said, they won’t have been too happy to see Bowers striker Matt Price line up against them, as he was the scorer of Canvey’s goal in that Play Off Final two years ago, and was also successful in the shootout.

The ground began to fill up an hour and a half prior to kick off. We were experiencing that rare weather phenomenon apparently known as ‘sunshine,’ and the mood in the stadium reflected that- although for at least a handful that was because Ipswich Town were on the brink of promotion, whilst Leeds United resembled Ramsgate- brilliant for most of the campaign, before failing when the pressure got too much.

The visitors were unchanged from midweek, whilst Bowers had Chris Millar in for Lewis Chambers, who was missing from the squad. Millar was on the bench in midweek, Thomas Stagg came into the squad to take Millar’s place on the bench.

The hosts got us underway, whilst the supporters changed ends, the visiting fans waving a large number of orange balloons. Perhaps nobody told them that their side would be wearing their sky blue home kit?

Rather unlike Friday evenings Chichester City massacre, this match actually resembled a Play Off Final in the opening stages. It was energetic, but full of mistakes and, as we reached the ninth minute, devoid of chances- although the visitors were showing some neat touches. And then, from nowhere, a fine turn and shot from Chris Millar sent Town keeper Melvin Minter scurrying to his left to make a save. Two minutes later it was Jack Thompson’s turn to make Minter make a save, as the hosts took the initiative, and soon a foul on Benas Vaivada right on the edge of the box gave Bowers a real chance- and they took it. Three players stood over the ball, and Millar took control, and hit the ball under the jumping wall, off the post and into the net. A fine, well planned free kick, and one-nil.

Goal: Bowers and Pitsea 1 Brentwood Town 0, Chris Millar, 16 minutes

Town looked to respond, but for all their energy they were yet to create a clear cut chance, and all of the danger was at the other end. Thompson and Millar were running the show for the hosts, and a foul on the latter led to another dangerous free kick on twenty two minutes. This one was further out, and led to a cross rather than a shot, the ball hacked clear. When the visitors did break, the hosts were equal to it, a fine tackle by Geoffrey Okonkwo on Andy Freeman stopping a shooting chance in its tracks. “Shall we sing a song for you,” asked the away fans, half-heartedly.

Just before the half hour a long, long punt forward landed in the Brentwood box. Matt Price, guarded by two defenders, somehow got to it first, his effort goalward was deflected rather desperately for a corner as the hosts remained in charge. At the other end it was Town’s turn to get a feee kick in a dangerous area, two yards to the left of the eighteen yard line. Rob Howard injured himself making the challenge, so the hosts were down to ten men when the kick was taken, and that may have been crucial. Shad Ngandu played a neat ball to Matt Cripps, who was afforded the freedom of Pitsea as he controlled, shot and finished like a striker. A minute later and it was almost two, Mekhi McKenzie forcing a save from Hughes, and suddenly the balance of play had changed, Andy Freeman becoming increasingly influential for the visitors.

Goal: Bowers and Pitsea 1 Brentwood Town 1, Matt Cripps, 34 minutes

We reached half time as Town once more tested Hughes in the Bowers goal, and it was time for the massed ranks to swap ends. Again.

We’d had an entertaining half, with the hosts creating more chances but the visitors shading the contest as we reached the break.

Half time: Bowers and Pitsea 1 Brentwood Town 1

Unsurprisingly, there were no changes at the break, and the Blues got us underway- and immediately looked threatening. The ball remained mainly in the Bowers half in the opening stages, although Vaivada then delivered excitement at the other end, charging into the box before being dispossessed as he shaped to shoot. The pace had slowed a little, perhaps due to the unaccustomed warmth. There were people watching football in their shirt sleeves, and some of them hadn’t even brought a waterproof coat, displaying a rather devil-may-care sort of attitude.

By the time we reached the hour mark the match had gone a little flat. Town made the first change, hoping that the guile of Danny Ogunleye might change things, and it almost did so immediately, Ogunleye just foiled by Hughes, the ball going out for a corner whilst the travelling fans yelled for a penalty. The corner was a good one, and was headed narrowly over the bar, and then at the other end, penalty. A cross from TQ Addy, an arm up, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Ben Williamson stepped up. The home fans held their breath. And Minter threw himself to his right and kept it out, Vaivada blasting the follow up high and wide. Despair at one end, joy unconfined at the other.

Brentwood continued to have the lions share of possession as we moved into the last twenty minutes, with Ogunleye looking particularly dangerous, but a shot from McKenzie which cleared the bar by ten feet summed up the paucity of the scoring opportunities. At the other end, an effort from Bowers sub Olly Sotoyinbo was even higher, leaving the ground.

Agyakwa then did better, sending Hughes scurrying across his goal, but the shot curled just wide of his near post, and then we had only ten minutes left. Another effort from Ogunleye, this one ending midway between Hughes left hand post and the corner flag, and discussion of extra time began in the main stand.

There was still time to avoid that, however. Corners at both ends were wasted and then Millar earned another, which almost saw the hosts regain the lead. A header from Sotoyinbo forced another fine save from Minter, and the next corner bounced around the box before being cleared. Ngandu seemed to talk his way into the referees book as we entered added time, but Brentwood pressed. A long throw was headed out for a corner. Ogunleye was just thwarted, and then a McKenzie effort was tipped over by Hughes as the visitors continued to look dangerous. Three minutes slipped by, then four, and the Blues had another chance to use that long throw but instead went short and the cross was cleared. And that was that- for now.

Bowers and Pitsea 1 Brentwood Town 1, extra time coming next

Bowers got us underway. Would we find a winner in the next half an hour, or would we end up with another shootout? The opening stages were devoid of any clear cut chances, but Bowers earned a corner in the ninety seventh minute, so perhaps that was about to change? It wasn’t- and next came some Brentwood pressure, instigated by a bit of Ngandu brilliance. And then, a chance for the visitors, but the shot went wide whilst we waited for the net to bulge. A mazy run from Jonathan Nzengo then saw Hughes once again called into action, but the shot wasn’t as good as the approach play.

Into the last two minutes of the first period, and finally, Bowers broke out- and a deflected shot from Sotoyinbo earned a corner, which was headed clear. A long throw, a defensive header, the ball in the hands of Minter, and we had fifteen minutes remaining.

Half time in extra time, Bowers and Pitsea 1 Brentwood Town 1

We moved into the final act, and the visitors remained on top, but the score remained one-one, and the hosts remained encamped in their own half, most of the team behind the ball and looking for a chance to break out. We desperately needed a moment of magic, but from where would it come? Substitute Jesse Olukolu charged down the right wing and earned a corner, but for the umpteenth time the ball was clutched by David Hughes and the danger came to an end. We had six minutes to avoid a shootout.

A rare Bowers attack and they had a corner, and immediately another. A Brentwood break, and a yellow card for Williamson for bringing down the charging Olukolu. A chance for Stagg, his shot straight at a defender and cleared. Into the last minute, Nzengo with a chance, snatched at it, the ball flying out of the ground. At the other end, a cross from Connor Witherspoon, headed away. And that was that. Penalties next.

Full time: Bowers and Pitsea 1 Brentwood Town 1

League Vice-Chair Craig emerged, quietly, bearing trophy and winners medals. The players got into huddles. Another coin toss, and we headed to the end which contained the visiting supporters. Could their side lay the ghosts of 21-22, or would Bowers win their second shootout this week?

Brentwood went first. Cripps- scored! 1-0.

Bowers- Okonkwo- scored, cool as you like despite the massed ranks behind the goal trying to distract him, 1-1.

Brentwood- saved! Tom Stephen’s penalty was too close to the keeper. 1-1

Bowers- Millar- hit the inside of the post and stayed out! Still 1-1.

Brentwood- Ogunleye- wide! Still 1-1.

That’s three in a row missed, can Bowers take advantage?

Bowers- Vaivada- goal! 2-1 Bowers.

Brentwood- Jeremiah- scores! Fine penalty into the corner, although Hughes went the right way. 2-2.

Bowers- Sotoyinbo- a little stutter, goal! 3-2 Bowers.

Brentwood- Agyakwa- has to score. Saved! And Bowers are up, and lots of- mainly small children- are on the pitch.

Bowers win three-two on penalties.

Over the one hundred and twenty minutes, Brentwood had the better chances- although Bowers had the best chance to win it in normal time, Minter saving that penalty. But in the end, it was the hosts who clinched an immediate return to our top flight, and more penalty heartache for the Blues.

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