Stow v Bowers & Pitsea preview

Walthamstow welcome Bowers & Pitsea to Wadham Lodge on Tuesday evening in our first home league game of the season with both teams looking to bounce back from their opening day losses.

Stow travelled to Norfolk to face off against Wroxham on Saturday but it didn’t take long for the hosts to open the scoring through James Moore. Stow were awarded a penalty five minutes from the end, with Wroxham captain Harry Barker receiving a straight red card for hand ball on the line. Substitute Harvey Livings-Corbin stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and level the game.

That only lasted ten minutes as defender James Everett grabbed the win for the Yachtsmen with a free header from a corner. Stow are now without a win in their opening three games of the season while Wroxham continue their unbeaten start. Bowers & Pitsea also fell to defeat on Saturday losing to newly promoted Downham Town 2-1.

Last time out against Bowers, Stow brought three points back to E17 in a six goal thriller on the final day of the 23/24 season. The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead before a cross into the box from Jordan Peart came off defender Tariq Straker to give Stow a goal back before half time.

Two minutes into the second half and Stow equalised with a well-placed free kick from Johnville Renee beating now Stow keeper David Hughes in the Bowers goal. On 64 minutes, Stow completed the comeback through substitute Bilal Sayoud with a curling shot which took a deflection and found it’s way into the far corner.

Stow then sealed the three points two minutes from time with Jared Small releasing Kymani Thomas to volley past the keeper, sending the travelling Stow fans into jubilation. This meant Stow finished one place outside the playoffs and Bowers securing second place. They then went on to win promotion beating Brentwood Town in the final.

Previous meetings

Walthamstow and Bowers’ common people

Bowers don’t have any former Stow players, but the same can’t be said the other way.

Goalkeeper David Hughes played a big part in Bowers’ promotion to the Isthmian Premier League and was regarded as a fans’ favourite at the Len Salmon Stadium.

Defender Jordan Peart had a brief stint at the Len Salmon at the beginning of the 21/22 season.

Recent signing Brian Garzon also had a brief stint for Bowers & Pitsea, signing at the beginning of last season.

Winger Tyrone Baker joined Bowers in late 2018 and spent the rest of the season at the Len Salmon.

Shomari Barnwell, Alex Teniola, Geoffrey Okonkwo and Chid Onokwai have also played for both clubs.