Ilford boss believes Bowers game has shown his team are contenders

Ilford boss Allan Fenn says the 1-0 loss against Bowers & Pitsea shows the development of his Foxes side in recent weeks.

Fenn’s team went down away from home after conceding a Luca Frankis header from a free kick shortly into the second half.

It was only the Crickfield outfit’s second loss in their last nine league matches and the Ilford chief was pleased with the fighting spirit the club showed.

“We battled hard against Bowers. We were very organised and very determined. Bowers are a great team and rested some players but they were still strong,” said Fenn.

“It shows that we have a good XI. If we sign three or four players in the summer, we won’t be far off the top next year. They scored from a sloppy set piece, which was unlike us so that was disappointing.

“But the boys are fired up for their next game. They’re disappointed themselves but they want to bounce back quickly. Three months ago we could not have dreamed of a result like that against Bowers.”

It could have been so different as The Foxes had a brilliant opportunity to take the lead in the first half when Karlois Atutis’ effort hit the bar and fell to Carl Mullings.

The returning striker was unable to apply the finish, leaving Fenn to rue his side’s missed opportunities.

“You lose by fine margins. We didn’t take our chances by Bowers took theirs,” added Fenn.

“But in the bigger picture we have done really well in pushing a side like Bowers so hard.”