IN-FORM Bowers & Pitsea have promotion rivals Felixstowe & Walton in their sights this weekend.

Bowers have risen to fourth in the Isthmian North standings after winning five of their last six games.

And defender Geofrey Okonkwo is keen for Bowers to maintain their momentum by beating their second placed opponents at the Len Salmon Stadium.

“Felixstowe are one of our rivals in terms of promotion and they’re currently above us in the table so taking points off them is something we’ll look to do,” said Okonkwo.

“They’ve beaten us once this season already at theirs so we’ll want to make amends for that. We’re currently on a good run of form, winning five of our last six games and we’ll obviously want to continue that.

“They’ll be a good test but spirits and confidence in the camp are high at the moment so we’ll take that momentum into that game.”

Bowers’ latest success came courtesy of a 3-1 win against second from bottom Grays Athletic on Boxing Day.

And Okonkwo was delighted to pick up another three points.

“We knew it wouldn’t be an easy game regardless of where Grays currently are in the league so we were prepared for that,” said Okonkwo.

“We got the opening goal probably against the run of play but they scored a good goal just before the break, one I’d say they deserved.

“However, we went into half time confident we’d have the quality to win the game and that proved to be true with the end result.

“It was a win we felt we needed to stay in the play-off positions too.

“That’s been our goal from the start of the season so it was a huge three points and it was nice to get the win for the fans who have been amazing for us all season.”

Okonkwo also played his part in the victory by scoring Bowers’ third goal of the game 12 minutes from time. But it was a mixed moment for the defender.

“It was a bitter sweet moment for me obviously being an ex Grays player,” said the 24-year-old..

“Their fans were singing my name before the game and I bumped into many familiar faces.

“But I’m a Bowers player now and I’m committed to giving the club my all.

“On Boxing Day it came in the form of a goal and three points. Nevertheless, it was nice to know the Grays fans still have some love for me.”

However, Okonkwo remains fully focused on Bowers and finishing the season strongly.

“Promotion has been the goal from the very start and that hasn’t changed,” he added.

Elsewhere in Isthmian North tomorrow, fifth placed Basildon United host third placed Brightlingsea Regent.

In the Isthmian Premier Division, sixth placed Billericay Town are at 15th placed Whitehawk, seventh placed Hashtag United go to 19th placed Folkestone Invicta while Canvey Island, who are 13th, travel to 12th placed Bognor Regis Town. Bottom of the table Concord Rangers host fifth placed Hastings.