JAMES’ HEROES TAKE A BOW
BOWERS & Pitsea bounced straight back to Step 3 football after a tense penalty shootout victory over Essex rivals Brentwood Town, who in turn lost a second final shootout in three years.
Chris Millar fired Bowers in front just after the quarter-hour, only for Matt Cripps to reply 18 minutes later.
But when keeper David Hughes saved Marlon Agyakwa’s penalty, it clinched promotion for James Collins’ men.
It was a bright start from Bowers who twice tested visiting keeper Melvin Minter early on. First, Chris Millar let fly from range forcing Minter to get down and parry behind then, two minutes later, the 29-yearold was again called into action again, parrying Jack Thompson’s pop shot
However, Bowers wouldn’t be kept out for much longer, and just past the quarter hour they broke the deadlock – Millar stepping up with a free-kick from the right and strking under the wall and in off the woodwork.
Collins’ men dominated proceedings but it was Brentwood who levelled the scores after half an hour.
A Shad Ngandu free-kick picked out Matt Cripps in space at the near post and the Brentwood skipper’s turn and shot nestled into the far corner to send the two sides in level at the break.
Just past the hour, Bowers were presented with a golden opportunity to retake the lead. A long ball into the box was latched onto by former Brentwood man Matt Price and his cross from the right foot was handled by Cripps, prompting referee Joe Woolmer to award a penalty. The experienced Ben Williamson stepped up but was denied of a 15th goal of the season by his former Concord teammate Minter, who got down well to parry away.
As the 90 minutes neared, both sides began to ramp up the pressure with Minter and Hughes having to make impressive saves to keep the scores level.
First, a deep Vaivada corner was met Olly Sotoyinbo and the substitute’s looping header had to be tipped over by Minter.
Two minutes into injury time it was Hughes’ turn to make a vital save with the Bowers keeper having a to claw away a McKenzie effort after the hosts had failed to clear a corner – sending the game to extra time.
Brentwood started on the front foot with Ngandu drilling an effort narrowly wide before Nzengo seeing a shot comfortably saved after going on a mazy run.
The second period was quiet with both sides beginning to tie and the game fizzled out to a shootout.
Both sides missed their second spot-kicks with Brentwood also missing their third through Daniel Ogunleye.
The Blues’ fifth taker Marlon Agyakwa had to score to keep Brentwood’s promotion hopes alive but his penalty was saved by Hughes to secure victory.