ROB Small was full of praise for Simon Thomas after the frontman fired Bowers & Pitsea to a 2-0 win over Witham Town.

Thomas, who joined the Isthmian North high-flyers from Great Wakering Rovers, grabbed his first two goals in Bowers colours to allow the visitors to bag all three points.

And Small is pleased with the impact Thomas has made since making the move.

The Bowers boss said: “We threw him in at the deep end when he made his debut at Whyteleafe last week.

“We signed him on the Friday and he didn’t even have a chance to train with the boys before the game.

“He is an experienced player and has brought a different dimension to our play.

“It was great to see Simon get off the mark and he is more familiar with the players now.

“I thought Simon and David Knight played well together.”

Knight and Quentin Monville were thwarted in the first half, but Bowers took the lead when Thomas tapped home after Jamie Dicks had been denied seven minutes after the break.

Thomas curled home five minutes later to complete his brace and ensure Bowers would leave the Village Glass Stadium with all three points.

And Small was pleased to see his side return to winning ways, having drawn two and lost two of their last four encounters.

Small added: “It’s still very early in the season, but the win gives the camp a bit of a lift.

“The performances haven’t been a million miles away from what we require, but it was nice to get a win.”

Bowers & Pitsea: Wilton, Sammons, J. Thomas, Leahy, Clark, Halle, Monville, Sartain, S. Thomas, Knight, Dicks