BOWERS & Pitsea made it three cup wins in different tournaments in a week after a comeback win in the FA Vase.

Rob Small has now presided over a ten match unbeaten streak and watched his team come back from an early Codicote goal to run out 4-2 winners.

Former Witham striker Rob Whitnell geared up for a reunion with his old side in the FA Cup next weekend by drawing Bowers level with a looping header after a cross looped in by the lively Neil Marron had hit the crossbar.

And Luke Wilson put the hosts ahead moments later. A pinpoint delivery from Jamie Salmon found Wilson unmarked in the box and he smashed home with his left foot.

Codicote equalised on the stroke of half-time with an equally impressive strike but that was as good as it got for the away side.

They were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark when Keith Coughlin was shown a second yellow card for a poor tackle on Salmon which buoyed Bowers in their search for the decisive goal.

And it came from Ashley Wackers-Kyriacou with a scrappy effort with ten minutes left on the clock. The striker’s initial shot was saved before he bundled home the rebound under pressure from a defender.

The game was made safe when the impressive Salmon again turned provider and Wackers-Kyriacou drilled home to make it three wins on the bounce and set up a tie with Haverhill Rovers in the next round.

Basildon United have endured contrasting fortunes, having lost all three of their cup matches in the past week.

They lost 1-0 at home to Haverhill Borough in a tight match at the TLM Stadium. Colin Cook’s men started well but couldn’t break through a stubborn away defence before the break.

The only goal came after the break, after a shot which crashed off the crossbar was headed into an unguarded net.

The Bees could have equalised with seconds to go but a Basildon player couldn’t get a touch on a loose ball in the penalty area.

 

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

Hullbridge followed up an impressive midweek win with a disappointing home defeat to Waltham Forest.

The visitors were relegated from Ryman North last year and won this match with a goal that came after only eight minutes.

Liam Nash should have drawn Sports level but shot wide when well placed and it was Nash who could only find the side-netting from a tight angle.

Elsewhere, Southend Manor drew 0-0 at home to Enfield 1893. The one point pulls Manor up to mid table after Wayne Seal’s side fell to a heavy midweek cup defeat.