Bowers & Pitsea 3
Heybridge Swifts 1
Bowers & Pitsea moved up to second in the table with a convincing 3-1 win over ten-men Heybridge Swifts.
The game got off to the best possible start for Bowers with the returning TQ Addy striking two minutes into his debut for the club.
Ten minutes into the second period the hosts doubled their lead thanks to a fine long range strike from Manny Oluwasemo.
Not long after this, Heybridge halved the deficit thanks to Danny Nesbitt but within five minutes their hopes of a point were dashed when skipper Quba Gordon was sent off, and then with four minutes left to play Oluwasemo struck his second of the evening to seal the deal for Bowers.
Jamie Collins made four changes from his side that beat Stowmarket Town on Saturday. Former Southend United defender Luke Reeve started alongside Sam Elwood, Daniel Thompson and Addy with Henry Sinai, Benas Vaivada, Guy Norton and Malakai Hyman all being dropped from the line-up.
As for Heybridge, Steve Tilson made one change from Saturday's FA Trophy loss to step three outfit Chatham Town, with former Bowers midfielder Ben Sartain starting in place of the experienced Myles Anderson.
Kick-off
Within two minutes of the game kicking off the hosts stole an early advantage thanks to Addy; who had re-joined the club earlier in the day from Erith and Belvedere.
A Lewis Chambers freekick was poorly defended by Heybridge and the ball was scrambled across the face of goal and into the path of Addy who was able to poke home from close range.
This being the 21-year-old's fourth goal in Bowers colours having struck three times for the club at the back end of last season.
The visitors almost struck back instantly but David Hughes was able to keep the Swifts at bay. Sam Park lofted the ball over the top of the Bowers defence to Keiran Jones whose shot across goal had to be parried behind by the Bowers goalkeeper.
The rest of the opening period was quiet at the Len Salmon Stadium although Bowers should have perhaps taken the lead on the stroke of half time, when Ben Williamson fired a free header straight at Tom Wray.
Half Time: Bowers & Pitsea 1-0 Heybridge Swifts
Just like in the opening period, Bowers would strike early on with Oluawesmo making it 2-0 ten minutes after the restart.
Williamson poked the ball down the line to Sinai who laid it back to Oluawesmo and the former Margate man was fired an unstoppable long range strike into the bottom corner for his fourth goal in six games.
Heybridge hit back however, and with 67 minutes played they halved the deficit.
Sartain was able to dig out a cross and Nesbitt was on hand to score with a stooped header at the far post for his first goal of the campaign.
However, unfortunately for the visitors there hopes of coming from behind to snatch a point were dashed shortly after this when they were reduced to ten men.
Captain's Chambers and Gordon both went sliding in for a loose ball which Chambers got to first and was then caught by Gordon.
This left both players in a heap on the floor and when Gordon returned to his feet the first thing he saw was Lukas Wood's red card - this being the second time a Heybridge player has been dismissed this season.
Bowers took advantage of this man-advantage and late on they re-established their two goal cushion.
A long throw from Chambers caused confusion amongst the Heybridge defence and the ball deflected to the far post where Oluwasemo was waiting to pounce - scoring with a powerful header into the roof of the net for his second goal of the evening.
Things could've got even worse for Tilson's side in injury time with Nesbitt having to make a goal line clearance to keep out Chris Millar and ensure Bowers didn't add a fourth.
Full Time: Bowers & Pitsea 3-1 Heybridge Swifts
A fifth win in six home games for Bowers, and their first victory in a league game against Heybridge since 2017, means they are now just a point behind league leaders Felixstowe & Walton who scored four goals in the final nine minutes of their game with Brightlingsea Regent to win 5-3.
As for the Swifts a first defeat on the road this campaign brings their four game winning streak in the league against Bowers to an end. Heybridge have now also slipped down to 9th in the Isthmian League North Division standings.
Both sides are back in action on Saturday. Bowers travel to Gorleston whilst Heybridge entertain Bury Town.
Bowers & Pitsea: Hughes, Elwood (Norton 85'), Chambers, Okonkwo, Reeve, D. Thompson (Sinai 46'), Oluwasemo, Williamson, J. Thompson (Millar 87'), Popo, Addy. Subs not used: Carnegie, Hyman.
Heybridge Swifts: Wray, Gordon, Sartain, Wall (N'Daw 46'), Park, Kemp (Gladwin 82'), Taylor, Munday, Carter (Faulkner 50'), Jones, Nesbitt. Sub not used: Whitney.
Goals
Bowers & Pitsea: Addy 2', Oluwasemo 55', 86'
Heybridge Swifts: Nesbitt 67'
Yellow Cards
Bowers & Pitsea: Okonkwo 66', Chambers 74'
Heybridge Swifts: Nesbitt 25', Gordon 49', 72', Sartain 60'
Red Cards
Bowers & Pitsea: None
Heybridge Swifts: Gordon 72'
By Nathan Williams
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