ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE: Bowers & Pitsea have lost their first player to a higher division – with defender Vinny Durrant joining Ryman Premier League side Witham Town.

The attack-minded full-back, who scored in the recent 6-1 thumping of Sporting Bengal United, has been a regular for manager Rob Small this term, making 18 appearances for the club.

And Small said there was not a lot Bowers could do when Witham came in for the 27-year-old.

“I would like to wish Vinny Durrant all the best at Witham Town,” he said on Twitter. “Moving two divisions higher was too good to turn down. Vinny has been an absolute pleasure to work with and is a top class player. Glad we could help him push on.”

He added the move was motivated by ambition alone, having never played at that level.

Small is now looking to fill the void left by Durrant for tonight’s game against Newham.

Newham sit one place above Bowers in the league, although have played a staggering 10 extra games than their opponents.

Bowers’ last home match, which was scheduled to be on Saturday against Enfield 1893, was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Hullbridge Sports visit Waltham Forest as they look to return to form. Sports have had a difficult couple of weeks, having lost to Flackwell Heath and Bowers in Pitsea in cup competitions since their last league win at Enfield.

Waltham Forest, relegated from Ryman One North last season, have been in good form this term, sitting fourth as they aim to win promotion.

But Hullbridge have won their last two away league games and can expect to cause Forest problems.