ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE: Bowers & Pitsea host Clapton tomorrow as they bid to continue their assault on the top of the league.

Bowers, who sit fourth in the league and come fresh off the back of a fine derby win over Basildon United in the Essex Senior League Cup, welcome ninth-placed Clapton to the Len Salmon Stadium ahead of a gruelling schedule.

Bowers won 3-0 on Wednesday evening against the Bees, with goals from Stuart Williams and a brace from Tom Hine enough to set up a semi-final date with Haringey Borough.

A number of the club’s successful under-18 side also played for Bowers.

Bowers play eight games in the next 18 days as they play catch-up in the closing weeks of the season.

Manager Rob Small has already said a win is a must ahead of Thursday’s vital league encounter with Haringey .

Basildon meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their third consecutive defeat against Bowers this term.

They host Enfield 1893, who are seven points below them in the standings having played six additional games.

Southend Manor crushed Sporting Bengal United 6-1 to move up to 18th in the league on Tuesday, and they host Ilford tomorrow.

Manor have only lost one of their last four matches, a 4-2 reverse against Bowers, and are ending the season well having lost 13 games on the spin earlier in the season.

lBowers & Pitsea’s youth team will play Grays Athletic in the final of the Pelly Under-18s Cup.

Bowers under-18s beat AFC Hornchurch 4-2 on Sunday to set up the final, which will take place on Wednesday, April 29.