Canvey Island compete their first Essex Derby of the new season on Bank Holiday Monday, as they make the short trip to Bowers & Pitsea in the hunt for their first points of the Isthmian Premier season.

Our Opponents
Bowers return to the Isthmian Premier after a year away, following relegation at the end of the 22-23 season.
Manager James Collins was tasked with rebuilding the squad once more after he'd done so previously following long term manager Rob Small's departure. What he compiled was a team with plenty of Isthmian League experience, and over a long and winding season, they battered there way into the playoffs, beating a much fancied Felixstowe & Walton United away in the semi finals to set up a home final with Brentwood Town - who they beat on penalties to secure an instant return to the Isthmian Premier.

Life back at Step 3 hasn't been kind to them so far however, with the club only picking up 1 point from a possible 12 so far, after a 1-1 draw in their first home game against Cheshunt. Their latest setback came away at Whitehawk on Saturday, with the long trip to East Sussex ending in a 2-1 defeat.

Collins isn't shy of players in his team who can deliver resulta though, despite losing some of the bigger characters from his promotion winning side. Players like Dexter Peter and Valckx Fernandes have plenty of experience in the division, and the loan signings of Jacob Bland and Temi Babalola add a fresh dimension to the side. Another of those loan signings is goalkeeper Rhys Byrne from Leyton Orient, who briefly player his trade with the Gulls at the start of the 22-23 season - and was in goal when we last faced Bowers away in a league fixture.

The two sides last met twice in the league in that 22-23 season, with a 1-1 draw on the Bank Holiday Monday before a 2-0 defeat for the Gulls at home on boxing day. They did meet a third time just a few weeks later, with Canvey winning at Bowers to knock their opponents out of the Essex Senior Cup.
The Gulls last league win away at Bowers came back in the 2018 playoffs, where goals from Sam Higgins and Ryan Charles saw them progress to the final.

The Gulls
Canvey meanwhile, will be desperate to put points on the board, after a 3-2 defeat at home to Wingate & Finchley put their loss tally at four, with just one more league fixture to go in August.

Despite leading twice through Jamie Salmon and Tom Stephen, the Gulls were undone by a 96th minute winner for the visitors, meaning their wait for their first league points goes on.

Despite their setbacks however, a bank holiday derby can often tear up the form book, and with the Gulls facing a team just a place and a point above, Brad Wellmen will still be confident his side can get their league season up and running.

***
Yellow Army, we thank you once again for your support in the last game, despite a wet and windswept Saturday.

Despite the unfortunate start to the campaign, your support for the team has remained unwavering throughout, and with just a short trip for this derby clash, we know you'll bring the noise once more to make it feel like another hoke fixture.

We wish all travelling a quick and safe journey to Pitsea.

Come on you Gulls!

Kick Off - 3:00pm

Admission Prices
Adults - £12
Concessions - £8
U16s - £3

Address
The Len Salmon Stadium
Crown Avenue
Pitsea, Essex
SS13 2BE

Parking
Free Parking is available to supporters at the Len Salmon Stadium, though is limited to first come/first serve.
Parking can be found of the adjacent side roads nearby, though please be mindful of our hosts neighbours if using this option.

Please also avoid parking on Crown Avenue itself, as the road will like see traffic congestion and will need to be available to should any emergency services be required.

Train
Pitsea (c2c) 1.3m

Bus
Kenneth Road (B3)