ROB Small says he will never forget the moment when his Bowers & Pitsea side were given a guard of honour at Felixstowe & Walton United.

Bowers made the trip to Suffolk seven days after being crowned Isthmian North champions thanks to a 4-0 victory over Dereham Town.

The title winners triumphed by the same scoreline at Felixstowe on Saturday and Small insists the experience will last long in the memory.

“I want to say a huge thank you to Felixstowe,” said the Bowers boss.

“The way the club conducted themselves was a class above.

“They were very respectful and were fantastic towards us from the moment we got to the ground.

“They shook our hands and congratulated us on winning the title.

“The icing on the cake was the Felixstowe players and match officials giving us a guard of honour.

“I was a little bit emotional after seeing that happening to us and it was a special moment.

“After the game I went up to their manager (Ian Watson) to shake hands and told him I will never forget that.”

First half goals from Brad Warner, Matt Lock and James Thomas put Bowers on course for all three points at the Goldstar Ground.

Ben Sartain completed the scoring as Bowers recorded a 15th consecutive triumph.

Bowers went into the contest knowing that Felixstowe were in fine form, but Small was impressed with how his players took on the challenge.

“We played a team that were second in the form table over the last six games,” added Small.

“Felixstowe were also unbeaten in 10 home games and have already beaten Maldon & Tiptree, Aveley, Coggeshall Town and Heybridge Swifts - all of the teams in the play-off places - at home.

“That further emphasises how good the win was.

“To come away with a resounding 4-0 victory speaks volumes and it’s testament to my players and their attitude just a week after winning the title.”