JOHN CHUBB at the Len Salmon Stadium
Bowers & Pitsea continued preparations for their first ever season in the Isthmian Premier League by hosting Hashtag United, who are getting ready for their first campaign in step 5 of semi-professional football, having joined the Essex Senior League following their switch to Tilbury’s Chadfields ground.
Hashtag have gained something of a cult status during their short existence, and this combined with increased interest in the home side, following their very impressive Isthmian North title triumph last season drew a good sized crowd for this fixture.
Bowers were awarded a penalty in only the third minute when Dan Trendall was brought down just inside the area. Luke Hirst stepped up to take the spot kick and sent Hashtag goalkeeper Cabhan Clarke the wrong way to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Bowers had another good chance in the 9th minute when Brad Warner turned inside his opponent well and set up Hirst, but his shot was blocked.
Hashtag were now looking to create opportunities of their own, and the pacy Josh Osube in particular looked impressive but the home team’s back four were doing a decent defensive job.
But with 18 minutes on the clock the ESL outfit made a breakthrough, as George Smith evaded a tackle and put the ball past Luke McCoy in the Bowers goal to make it 1-1.
Bur within 2 minutes the home side had regained the lead, Trendall’s cross setting up Warner who fired a superb left footed volley into the right hand corner of the net to put his side back in ascendancy.
Trendall’s pace down the left flank continued to create problems for United, and after he had an effort parried away by Clarke, Luke Hirst’s follow up shot was blocked by a defender. Warner hit the crossbar a few moments later in what was a good spell of pressure from Bowers.
After 34 minutes the powerful Warner almost scored again from a free kick, which he bent superbly round the Hashtag defence, and Clarke did well to push the ball away.
After the break Albie Keith had an early second half effort for Hashtag when his powerful 49th minute strike was stopped by McCoy, Then at the other end a couple of minutes later Hirst nearly scored what would have been the goal of the night, when his mid-air bicycle kick rattled second half Hashtag keeper Jamie Jackson’s crossbar.
As the second 45 minutes wore on, both managers made multiple substitutions as is customary in pre-season games. Bowers manager Rob Small took particular advantage of this policy, and it paid off when with 12 minutes remaining Max Gnandi slotted the ball past Jackson for Bowers’ third goal, within a couple of minutes of entering the field of play.
So the home team’s more senior status paid off for them in the end, with their attacking players and strong back four making the difference.
Both sides had their moments in what was a keenly contested match, but it was probably a fair result in terms of play and chances created. Home boss Small certainly seemed pleased with his squad’s performance, and Hashtag indicated that they have enough quality to make an impact in the Essex Senior League during the forthcoming season.
Bowers & Pitsea: Luke McCoy (Callum Calder 71), Tom Hine (Charlie Arnold 82), Tom Stephen (James Thomas 46), Trialist (Max Cornhill 76), Lewis Clark (Ryan Sammons 46), Tom Troubridge, (V Junior 74), Tyrone Baker (A Balasini 76), Ben Sartain (George Wind 82), Brad Warner (Marlon Aygakwa 46), Luke Hirst (Max Gnandi 76), Dan Trendall.
Hashtag United: Cabhan Clarke (Jamie Jackson 46), Cain Brougham (Marcus Stamp 46), Phil Martin (Tom Williams 80), Izu (Hussein Isa 67), Jack Harrison, Ricky Evans (Lee Hursit 46), Albie Keith, Ross Gleed, George Smith, Neil Richmond (Harry Honesty 46), Josh Osube (Ryan Adams 50).
