Woods knocked their step four rivals out, 4-3 after extra time in their replay at Ashtons, coming from 2-0 down after 20 minutes to beat their higher league opposition and claim a first qualifying round home tie against Felixstowe & Walton in the first qualifying round.

And boss Baptiste was delighted with his Essex Senior League side’s victory over a Bowers outfit sitting 15th in Isthmian League North.

“Words can’t describe the feeling. It’s one of the biggest wins of my managerial career,” said Baptiste.

“The fans were excellent. As a club we’ve been building up to these moments, to come up against a massive Essex-based club like Bowers & Pitsea who have just come out of step three. 

“I was chatting to their manager after the game and he was giving us compliments. To be a fan and having been to watch a team like Bowers & Pitsea when they were winning the league, I was in the stadium watching them do it, so to play and beat them now is amazing.”

The Woods forced a replay after coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at the Len Salmon Stadium in Pitsea on Saturday, thanks to two late goals in the 88th and 95th minute.

And former U23s manager Naptiste praised the way his side fought back and approached the fixture.

“The game’s not over until the final whistle and the players showed that in the first game,” added Baptiste. 

“They went to the end and the same is said for today’s game. We had players who had knocks and were injured but they were still working their socks off for the team and those are the things that we can’t coach.

“When we played them in the first game, we understood some of their strengths and what they were trying to do. We also expressed to the players more about the emotional side of it – desire, be committed, have that energy and use the home advantage with our support to push us through.

“They sort of died down when they went 2-0 up but at half-time I said to the players and reminded them we’re here for one reason. 

“A lot of people are investing in the team and the club, and we’ve got to go on the pitch and show that enthusiasm and those physiological qualities that’s needed in big games. Fair play to the players, they were immense.

“The togetherness is amazing, but it’s only the start of the season, we’ve got our ambitions and aspirations and we’ve to maintain these levels and improve but overall, I’m very happy, I’m delighted. 

“We’ve got Felixstowe & Walton in the next round, another step four side and another big club. It’s another big game and it’s at home, so it’s all to play for.”

Woodford will host Felixstowe & Walton on September 2, but have an FA Vase fixture against Park View on Friday and a local derby with league rivals Buckhurst Hill to attend to before attention returns once more to the FA Cup.


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