FA CUP: Bowers & Pitsea boss Rob Small has his eyes on a reunion with former manager Garry Kimble in this season’s FA Cup.

Kimble, former manager of Burnham Ramblers when Small was goalkeeper, currently coaches Ryman Premier side Witham Town and his former charge said it would be great to meet Town in the first preliminary round of the competition.

Bowers kick off their FA Cup campaign with an extra-preliminary round tie at Clapton tomorrow and, should they win, will play either Colney Heath or Southend Manor in the preliminary round two weeks tomorrow.

Small says a potential tie with Witham, on Saturday, September 13, would be terrific for the club.

“It would be a glamour tie for us. A lot of the boys here know Garry well and it would be nice to see him and test ourselves against Witham.

“The boys have done very well in the league and it will be nice to head into the cup knowing we have done well in our first two matches.”

Bowers beat rivals Hullbridge Sports 4-1 on Tuesday, scoring their 2,000th Essex Senior League goal in the process.

Sports, who won their first league match against Sawbridgeworth, travel to Cockfosters FC of the Spartan South Midlands League, premier division in the cup.

They are hoping Will Peck and Dean Wallace are back, as both missed the defeat at Bowers whilst Aaron Hunwicks, Curtis Clarke and Mike Edgar could also return.

Basildon United host Stanway Rovers after securing a 2-2 draw at Ilford on Wednesday. The hosts came from a goal behind to score twice before the break though Jimmy Cox and Mike Finneran. But a goal five minutes into the second half ensured a share of the spoils. They have also added former Concord Rangers and Chelmsford City midfielder Taylor Sinfield to their squad, a signing manager Colin Cook described as “tremendous”.

Meanwhile, Southend Manor are also on the road, where they will face Colney Heath for the right to take on Bowers in the next round. They lost 2-1 at home to Stansted on Wednesday. A second half goal from Churchill Chia-Titor dragged Manor back into the match but they couldn’t find an equaliser.