ROB Small has challenged his Bowers & Pitsea players to make history ahead of their clash with Witham Town in the FA Cup tomorrow.

The Essex Senior League side host the Ryman Premier league newcomers at the Len Salmon stadium in the first qualifying round of the competition, and Small has labelled the match as ‘the biggest in the last 15 years’.

Bowers & Pitsea was formed from the merger of Bowers United and Pitsea Young People’s Club 11 seasons ago and have started this season in impressive fashion – on a 10-match unbeaten run in league and cup.

Although Small in under no illusions about how difficult it will be to beat his old mentor Garry Kimble’s side and pocket a £3,000 pay day.

“We know Witham are a very good team and we know the dangers they pose,” said the Bowers boss. “But then again, why can’t we beat them? It is 11 versus 11 and my players will be desperate to win. Garry wouldn’t have wanted to draw Bowers away and we won’t make it easy for them. This is my biggest game as manager and the club’s biggest in more than a decade.

“We have a number of players here who have played for Garry at either Witham or Burnham Ramblers so they will want to do well too.”

Dan Brown, Ross Adams, Martin Llewellyn and Small himself all played for Kimble at Burnham while Rob Whitnell, Scott Pethers and Jason Baker were under his guidance at Witham.

And Small has praised his side for their cup form this campaign, which has also seen them win in the Essex Senior Cup and FA Vase in recent weeks.

“We have enjoyed our cup matches this year,” said Small. “When I came in I wanted to make us tough to beat. We conceded a lot of goals in pre-season but have tightened up a lot at the back. We could easily have lost against Colney Heath (in the last round of the FA Cup) had we not been so good in defence and we grabbed a late winner.

“I hope we can put in a good performance tomorrow and it would be great to see a few more people watch the games and support us. The players are champing at the bit and so am I.”