Bowers & Pitsea 4-2 Potters Bar Town

(Sartain 65’, Knight 72’ (p), 86, Thomas 79’: Murray 17’, Sach 70’)

From the Len Salmon Stadium

Isthmian North

TWO stunning strikes from James Thomas and David Knight saw Bowers & Pitsea come from behind to move into third in the Isthmian North.

Bowers had twice been behind, but battled back brilliantly in the second-half.

Goals from Ben Sartain, Thomas and a brace from Knight – his first since returning to the club – gave Bowers all three points.

It was fourth versus fifth in the standings, with both knocking the ball around well in the early exchanges.

The first chance of the day belonged to the visitors, and it was Frank Keita that spurned the opportunity – blazing over from the edge of the penalty area after six minutes.

Next up, left-back Andrew Lomas powered a low drive towards the far post, but Callum Chafer was equal to the effort.

But on 17 minutes, Potters Bar did forge ahead. A long ball was cushioned into the path of Michael Murray and he sent a first-time curling effort into the far corner.

Bowers were slowly growing into the game, although Tony Stokes and Knight fired off target when well placed.

And the latter should have levelled shortly before half-time. John Easterford recycled a corner and sent in a fine left-footed cross which Knight controlled but blasted over from six yards.

The second-half was a slow-burner with the first real opportunity bringing the equaliser.

An excellent run from Sartain saw him feed substitute Louis Yuill on the right wing. His deep cross was headed across by Fahad Nyanja and Sartain finished the move he started with aplomb.

But they were level for just five minutes – a move down the right ended with Bradley Sach climbing high to head in.

Bowers were not going down without a fight and 60 seconds later they had a penalty.

Nyanja won the kick and Knight hammered it home for his first goal since his return.

Bowers had the wind in their sails and they soon had a third goal to show for their efforts, and what a goal.

Thomas picked up the ball 25 yards from cut and angled a fierce strike into the far corner that had the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

But the best was yet to come. Knight sent a stunning volley into the top corner from 30 yards to complete an excellent day's work.

Bowers & Pitsea: Chafer, Clark, Nyanja, Salmon, Easterford, Sartain, Thomas, Leahy, Knight (Cockman 90'), Manor, Stokes (Yuill 60’)