LOWESTOFT TOWN 2 BOWERS & PITSEA 0

This eagerly awaited top two clash saw The Trawlerboys run out victors much more comfortably than the scoreline suggests, writes Terry Lynes.

On the day they were a faster, slicker and more focused side than their opponents and dominated for the majority of the game.

Lowestoft brought back Robert Eagle at full back and Adam Hipperson for Sam Johnson who was named as substitute despite not being fully fit.

The Trawlerboys were in their stride from the start and Louis McIntosh had already gone close with a header before they took the lead after nine minutes.

A crunching tackle by Eagle won the ball off Dan Thompson, Kyle Haylock quickly sent Jake Reed clear to slide the ball wide of David Hughes and inside the post.

Lowestoft continued to press and Haylock saw his shot charged down in a packed goalmouth and was then inches away to getting a touch to Charlie Norman’s driven cross in front of goal.

A rare spell of Bowers pressure saw a dangerous ball dropping into the area headed into the side netting by the diving by Dan Thompson.

An ambitious 25 yard drive from YQ Addy was safely collected by Luke Holt.

The Trawlerboys were soon on the offensive though and they doubled the lead in the 35th minute.

Awarded a free kick just outside the area, Harvey Sayer sent a pinpoint cross straight onto the head of Reed whose downward header gave Hughes no chance.

The keeper was soon in action again with excellent saves to deny both Sayer and Norman.

Lowestoft should gave added a third in the early minutes of the second period but after Reed had expertly set up Haylock his control let him down and Geoffrey Okonkwo was able to clear.

Bowers were having a bit more of the play in this half but without seriously troubling the Lowestoft defence.

A low cross from the right saw Ben Williamson’s shot deflected over his own bar by Norman.

Sayer saw Hughes cap a fine display by getting his fingers to a curling shot to push it round the post.

LOWESTOFT TOWN: Holt, Norman, Eagle, McIntosh, Cole, Ruffles, Haylock, Hinton, Reed, Sayer, Hipperson (sub Aldous 88). Subs (not used): White, Johnson, B Atkinson, Burwood.

BOWERS & PITSEA: Hughes, Chambers, Okonkwo, D Thompson (sub Sinai 46), Oluwasemo, Williamson, J Thompson (sub Reeve 46), Popo, Norton (sub Carnegie 46), Hyman, Addy. Subs (not used): Byford, Mendes.

REFEREE: Mr C Hathway

ATTENDANCE: 451

Report by Terry Lynes