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MATCH PREVIEW: Bowers & Pitsea FC v Aldershot Town (A) (FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round)

WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?

Bowers & Pitsea FC, also known as The Bowers . Founded 1946 (as Bowers United), becoming Bowers & Pitsea FC in 2004.

They currently play in the Isthmian Premier League (Step 3 of the Non-League pyramid. Club Colours: Red & White Striped Shirts, Red Shorts & Red Socks

 

WHERE IS THE MATCH BEING PLAYED?

At the Len Salmon Stadium. Capacity 2,661 (300 seated) – Record Attendance 1,800 (v Billericay Town in the FA Vase)

 

WHAT’S THEIR CLUB HISTORY?

Bowers United (formed in 1946) initially played in the Thurrock & Thameside Combination, a league that they won in 1959. They became Founder members of the Essex Olympian League oin 1966, before moving up to the Essex Senior League in 1974. They won that league in 1981 and also the League Challenge Cup in 1982. In 1999 they won the league and cup double. In 2004, they absorbed Pitsea FC (a Sunday outfit) and took on their current name. Bowers & Pitsea won the league in 2016 earning promotion to Isthmian Division 1 North, also reaching the semi-final of the FA Vase. In 2019, the Bowers won the North division, earning promotion to the third tier of English Non-League football, where they currently play.

 

HOW DID BOWERS & PITSEA REACH THIS STAGE OF THE FA CUP?

Bowers & Pitsea entered this season’s FA Cup at the 1st Qualifying stage, where they won 5-0 at Arlesey Town. They were also drawn away in Q2, winning 2-0 at Bishops Stortford. In the 3rd Qualifying Round, they were drawn at home to Hornchurch (last season’s FA Trophy winners) and were 2-0 up, only for Hornchurch to score two late goals and earn a replay. In the replay, Bowers progressed 2-0 to reach the 4th Qualifying Round for the 2nd time in their 18 years of playing in the FA Cup.

 

WHO’S THEIR GAFFER?:

Rob Small (Smallsy) has been first team manager at Bowers & Pitsea since 2014, following a successful three-year spell with Southminster St Leonards. He won the Essex Olympian Division One and Premier titles during his tenure at St Leonards. In his first season with Bowers & Pitsea, Small finished 2nd in the league and won the Essex Senior League Trophy and led the club to its best ever FA Cup run. In 2015-16, he led the club to their most successful season to date, winning the Essex Senior League Title, culminating in promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division for the first time in the club’s history. He also guided Bowers to the Semi-Final of the FA Vase.

 

WHO’S IN THEIR PLAYING SQUAD?

Bowers have fielded three different goalkeepers this season with Mitchel Beeney playing the most games. Michael Ademiluyi, Callum Leahy, Thomas Stephen and James Thomas have made the most appearances in defence. In midfield, Luca Albon, the experienced Max Cornhill (ex-Dartford, Concord & Chelmsford), Jamie Dicks, Quentin Monville & Danny Norton (also ex Dartford & Concord) have all played regularly. Up front Lewis Manor (ex-Billericay) has 8 goals in 8 games this season and Bradley Sach (6 goals in 8 games) are likely to provide the most obvious goalscoring threat to the Shots.

 

ANY EX-SHOTS?

Not known.

 

WHO’S GOT THE WHISTLE?

Saturday’s referee is not known at the time of publishing this match preview.

 

WHERE TO FOLLOW THE MATCH:

If you are not going to the Len Salmon stadium, there will be ‘Live’ BBC Radio Surrey Sport Online commentary of the match with Rob Worrall and a Guest Summariser. There will also be Social Media coverage on Instagram & Twitter (@OfficialShots) with team news, updates and post-match coverage throughout the afternoon.