BOWERS & Pitsea enjoyed a homecoming to remember as David Knight put Felixstowe & Walton United to the sword.

In their first match back at the revamped Len Salmon Stadium, Bowers ran out 4-0 winners.

Knight was in prolific form, grabbing a hat-trick, while Lewis Manor was also on target in front of a bumper crowd of 452.

And Knight, who came into the Isthmian North clash having hit four goals in the thumping FA Cup win over Takeley seven days earlier, was pleased to see his rich vein of form in front of goal continue.

The frontman said: “The game couldn’t have gone any better for us.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game but we kept to the game plan.

“I think we were dominant. We wanted to win our first game back at the Len Salmon Stadium and now it is up to us to build on the result.

“I’ve scored seven goals in two games now, but I can only score if the boys give me the service so they deserve a lot of credit.

“I had set myself a target of anywhere between 25 and 30 goals for the season but I might have to reassess that if I keep going the way I am at the moment.”

Just six minutes on the new artificial surface had passed before Knight broke the deadlock, with the striker bundling home after some fine wing play from Quentin Monville.

Knight found the bottom corner of the net 11 minutes later to double his and Bowers’ tally.

Joseph Francis struck the post from a Felixstowe free-kick but Knight completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after the interval.

Felixstowe were offered a way back into the game when Jamie Dicks was penalised and the visitors were awarded a penalty.

But Francis’ effort struck both posts and his frustration was compounded as Manor rose highest to head home from close range to round off the scoring.

And Bowers boss Rob Small was eager to praise the work done behind the scenes in the build-up to the encounter.

Small said: “I’m lost for words as to how much the stadium has developed and there is still more to come.

“I walked into the ground on Thursday night for training and it took my breath away.

“It was a great win but I don’t feel like we got out of third gear and so there is more to come from this team.”

Bowers & Pitsea: Wilton, Sammons, Thomas, Stokes, Cornhill (Dicks 66), Leahy, Monville (Nyanja 74), Sartain, Manor, Knight (Hughes 72), Davidson