BOWERS & Pitsea Ladies boss Darren Fraser cannot wait to lead the club into their first competitive fixture.

Little Thurrock Dynamos have been renamed Bowers & Pitsea Ladies ahead of the new season, where they will compete in the Eastern Regional Women’s Football League.

And Bowers will face Hatfield Peverel Ladies on Sunday, August 19, for what will be their first domestic encounter.

The club will play their first three clashes away from home due to the Len Salmon Stadium’s artificial surface being put in place.

But Fraser cannot wait for the campaign to get underway.

Fraser, who led Little Thurrock Dynamos to brink of promotion last term, said: “The fixtures have come out for the new season and we are away to Hatfield Peverel.

“We are away for our first three games because of the ongoing work on the Len Salmon Stadium pitch.

“But we can’t wait for the season to get underway following a good pre-season.”

Bowers continued their preparations for the new campaign by playing out a 2-2 draw with Maidstone United Ladies on Eversley Leisure Centre’s 3G surface.

Fraser’s side fell behind due to a slow start, but Bowers came close to getting back on level terms when Eloise Ives saw her strike cleared off the goalline.

The Stones made the most of their opportunities and scored a well-worked second, before Taylor Adcock’s free-kick reduced the deficit.

Summer signing Kirstie Jackson was denied a leveller when her fine effort was tipped over the crossbar by the visiting goalkeeper, while further chances came and went in the early stages of the second period.

However, just when it looked like a defeat was on the cards, striker Sophie Dowman found the back of the net for a deserved equaliser.

Bowers pushed for a late winner, but had to settle for a share of the spoils for a second consecutive friendly, having drawn 2-2 with C&K Basildon Ladies last time out.

But Bowers will be looking for victory when they welcome Billericay Town Ladies to the Eversley Leisure Centre on Sunday.

Fraser added: “We have made some new signings and they have settled in well.

“We came back from 2-0 down to draw with Maidstone, but we also hit the post and the crossbar.

“I think we should have beaten C&K Basildon as well, so I have been encouraged by how we have been performing in pre-season so far.”