Bowers & Pitsea showed their clinical edge as they eased past neighbours Tilbury 4-0 on Friday night in front of a healthy crowd of 257.
A brace from David Knight plus a header from captain Martyn Stokes and an effort from Brad Warner handed Rob Small’s team a good win. Bowers started well, with Tilbury goalkeeper Louis Hawes by far the busier of the two custodians.

Having made one fine save, Hawes kept out Ben Sartain’s long range drive although he could do nothing about the opener. On 16 minutes, the ball was bobbling in the six-yard box and Knight was on the spot to prod home from close range.

Home keeper Rhys Madden prevented a rare foray forward while Warner sent a trademark free-kick over the bar. Tilbury defender Joe Nightingill got round the back of the home defence, but his effort was comfortably saved.

Reece Hewitt and Kurt Smith tested Madden before the half was out but Bowers doubled their lead moments into the second period. A corner was swung in and Stokes climbed highest to send his header into the net.

Warner hit the post as he continued to cause problems from dead-ball situations but it was his strike partner that was doing the damage in front of goal. A minute later Knight made space in the penalty area and clipped home to make it 3-0 and all but end Tilbury’s chances.

Lewis Francis missed a guilt-edged chance to put Tilbury back in the match when he hit over from 6 yards and, unsurprisingly, Bowers made them pay. Warner, as he had been threatening, bent home a terrific free-kick to complete an excellent individual performance.

The same man almost added to his tally only to see another free-kick fly narrowly wide, while Hawes blocked late on.

The result leaves Tilbury in 12th place with 50 points. Tilbury return to action next Saturday when they make there final ever trip to Millfield to play Aveley.

Tilbury: Hawes, Mead, Conway, D Smith, Nightingill, Norton (Saidy 78), Singh (Francis 69), Jaggs, K Smith, Richmond, Hewitt

Unused subs: Willis, Barham and Aiken