After watching Saturday’s enjoyable 2-2 draw at Waltham Abbey I decided to make my 15th game of the season at Bowers for the replay.
I went to Bowers a number of times at the end of last season, watching them in a couple of FA Vase ties as well as at least one league games. Bowers won promotion from the Essex Senior League (level 9) to the Rymans League Div. 1 North (level 8) despite having to cope with an incredible fixture backlog and a very heavy pitch. Bowers showed great resilience and fitness last season to win promotion. I enjoyed my visits to Bowers and they were clearly a club rooted in the local community and with a big clubhouse that did more than open on match days.
THE GOOD
There were several good things about my trip to Bowers. This first thing being how good the pitch looked compared to the end of last season. Clearly the groundsman has done a lot of work and he can be proud of his efforts.
The ground itself seems to have had a bit of a tidy up. The whole ground looked clean and smart. It is a very small ground with only a small bit of terracing. The main covered standing is behind one goal and consists of converted shipping containers with part of the side cut off. These have had lighting added. A simple, cheap and effective solution to the problem of providing the required covered standing.
The main stand at Bowers houses, the PA announcer, the seats, the director’s box, and the food hut. It consists of 4 rows of seats and runs 1/2 to 2/3rds of the length of the pitch. Simple, low rise but effective. Again a good value for money solution and far more attractive than the metal stands seen at many grounds.
However, the main item under “the Good” for me had to be the game which was a feisty, hard fought but entertaining cup tie. Very early on, Waltham Abbey took the lead with a goal after around 2 minutes. After 8 minutes, Waltham Abbey were 2 up. Bowers seemingly caught cold and were facing a hammering.
Bowers, like last season showed their fighting spirit and fought their way back into the game. Going forward and in midfield, Bowers looked decent, but every time Waltham Abbey attacked the looked like they would score. Credit should be of course given to the Waltham Abbey forwards for their effort and skill.
Bowers pulled a goal back before half time with a penalty for handball. A silly penalty to give away. So 1-2 at half time.
Midway through the second half, Bowers equalised with a lovely strike. Before I had time to tweet that goal, Waltham Abbey went straight up the pitch and scored. 2-3 now.
Bowers kept plugging away, but late on were caught by a quick counter attack and at 2-4 it was too much for them to do. After all the hard work in the 1st tie at Waltham Abbey, Bowers let themselves down with some sloppy defending and failing to pay attention.
The game was a feisty affair and the referee did well to avoid having to send anyone off.
The game was played with the passion and commitment sadly so often lacking at the higher levels of the game.
Another good thing was the use of the Bowers & Pitsea youngsters as mascots. The encouraging of families and children to the game is something that is to be praised, which makes the matters under the heading below of THE UGLY even worse.
THE BAD
The cruel people would say the bad should be the Bowers defence. I think that would be harsh. They were simply lacking experience at a higher level and sadly lost concentration at times.
For me, the bad was the admission price which at Bowers this season is £9. This is a 50% increase on last season and makes Bowers one of the highest charging clubs in the Rymans League Div 1 North. For example Waltham Abbey charge £8 as do Romford. Although Aveley are charging £10 this season.
I appreciate that Bowers have gone up a level, but a 50% increase to be one of the most expensive sides to watch is a bit steep. Obviously it is up to Bowers what they charge, but being so expensive relative to other clubs will put off the ground hoppers and infrequent visitors.
At a time of stagnant price rises, a 50% increase is excessive. The moving up a level will not increase the travelling of the club significantly as the Essex Senior League has a large geographic footprint as well.
On a positive note, the programme at £1.50 was cheaper than many other clubs are charging this season.
THE UGLY
No, not the female sat near me. (She was actually rather attractive, not that I noticed). The ugly for me was the language of one of the Bowers & Pitsea officials who sat at the press desk at the back of the Directors box and proceeded to berate the referee with foul and abusive language. His language was inappropriate per so, but even more so when he was sitting immediately behind women and children.
He was wearing a Bowers & Pitsea training top and proceeded to take his frustrations out on the referee with his abuse. Now, as a regular football fan, I understand and appreciate the passion involved in the game. There is a huge difference between passion and abuse.
Its rather ironic that at the ground there are signs advertising the FA Respect campaign when a club official is clearly showing no respect to the referee. There is also a big advert for RESPECT on the front of the match programme.
It would perhaps have been slightly less obvious and slightly less ugly if the foul mouthed male had not chosen to position himself at the back of the Director's box immediately behind women and children. I am not sure what sort of example this is presenting to those young players who were mascots or to anyone else at the game.
It leaves a sour taste in the mouth and makes me less likely to want to return to watch football at Bowers.It is a shame that the behaviour of one individual should let down all the other friendly welcoming volunteers at Bowers.
Bowers are a club that have made massive steps forward and I am sure will continue to do so.
Waltham Abbey are at home to Wingate & Finchley in the next round of the cup on 3rd September 2016.
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