The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Essex men end long wait to step up

25 Apr 2016 By David Watters

Bowers & Pitsea are looking forward to tasting life in the Ryman League for the first time after ending a 42-year wait for promotion.

The modern club - founded in 2003 after a merger between Pitsea FC and Bowers United - beat Waltham Forest 3-0 away on Monday night to earn a place in Ryman North next term as either Essex Senior League champions or runners-up behind Basildon United.

If Bowers beat Hullbridge Sports on Thursday night they will go up as champions with their promotion subject to confirmation in the Football Association's annual summer shake-up of the pyramid system and ratification by the Ryman League.

As well as earning promotion, Rob Small's side at the Len Salmon Stadium reached the semi-final of the FA Vase this season, a 4-3 aggregate loss to Morpeth Town ending their chances of reaching Wembley Stadium's showpiece final on May 22.

Image courtesy of www.rebelsportsphotography.co.uk

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Where next?

Watch in-play highlights of ALL Ryman League play-off games As the chase for the final promotion spots moves into the play-off stages, the Ryman League will be capturing all of the drama from this season's finale in association with Pitchero Play.

Portman Road date for Blues After their eighth-placed finish to the Ryman Premier campaign, Leiston are looking forward to taking on Lowestoft Town in the Suffolk Senior Cup Final.