JUST three days after the elation of reaching the FA Cup first round proper, Bowers and Pitsea fell to a thumping 4-0 defeat away as Merstham on Tuesday night, reports Leon Imber.

A Korrey Henry hat-trick and a goal by Tahjay Anderson condemned Rob Small’s men to their heaviest defeat of the season so far. 

Elsewhere, East Thurrock United were also defeated, in their case it was a 2-1 shortcoming at home to Bishop’s Stortford.

Johnny Ashman opened the scoring for the Rocks but Ryan Charles levelled the game mid-way through the first half. 

And it was a late winner that sunk Paul Martin’s side, an 88th minute strike by Frankie Merrifield that saw East Thurrock slump to their third consecutive defeat. 

In the Isthmian North, Great Wakering Rovers were put to the sword as they were defeated 4-2 by AFC Sudbury.

The two sides went into the half-time break unseparated with a goal apiece, and it was Stephen Butterworth’s men that took the early second half lead, George Keys converting into his own net to put Rovers ahead. 

However, three goals in the space of five minutes ensured all three points for Sudbury, as Butterworth’s side failed to build upon their victory at the weekend.