By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
The first Isthmian Premier League fixtures of the new decade saw Bowers & Pitsea host East Thurrock United in a local derby.
And it was the 8th-placed visitors who ran out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Darren Foxley and Frankie Merrifield.
Quentin Monville scored a late consolation for Bowers who remain 17th.
In the Isthmian North Heybridge Swifts kept themselves in promotion contention as they beat struggling Felixstowe & Walton United by three goals to one.
Evans Kouassi, Alex Teniola and Harrison Chatting were all on target for fourth-placed Swifts with Canfer replying for Felixstowe, who finished the game with ten men following Knights’ 59th minute dismissal.
Meanwhile Kris Newby had a great start to life as the interim player-manager of Basildon United.
Newby – who had taken the reigns at Gardiners Close after Lee Connor stepped down form the role – and his team won 4-2 at home to Grays Athletic thanks to an Adam Vyse hat-trick and a goal from Ayo Odukoya, which took the Bees up a place to 17th.
Tony Stokes replied twice for 8th-placed Grays, the first of which was from the penalty spot.
This Saturday’s fixtures involving local clubs are as follows (all 3pm kick-offs):
ISTHMIAN PREMIER LEAGUE
Bishops Stortford v Bowers & Pitsea
East Thurrock United v Worthing
Hornchurch v Horsham
ISTHMIAN NORTH
Bury Town v Canvey Island
Coggeshall Town v Brentwood Town
Dereham Town v Great Wakering Rovers
Grays Athletic v Heybridge Swifts
Histon v Basildon United
Hullbridge Sports v Cambridge City
Maldon & Tiptree v Aveley
Romford v AFC Sudbury
Tilbury v Witham Town
ISTHMIAN SOUTH CENTRAL
Barking v Bedfont Sports
Harlow Town v Staines Town
Uxbridge v Waltham Abbey
