PETE Warner is eager to help Basildon United claim an eye-catching win over brother Brad and Bowers & Pitsea.

The Bees make the short trip to the Len Salmon Stadium for an eagerly-awaited local derby.

And while Brad and Bowers are eager to secure another victory to move closer to sealing the Isthmian North title, Pete is keen to put the promotion party on hold by recording a Bees triumph.

“I’m really looking forward to the game and it will be the first time that I have played against my brother,” said Pete, 32.

“Brad and I have not gone head-to-head with each other before and the whole family will be there to watch the game because it will be a special occasion.

“I have watched Bowers a few times this season and they are strong at the back and in midfield, while they are also very good going forward.

“But it would be nice to get the family bragging rights by picking up the three points. They’re 11 points clear at the top of the table and still need the points to win promotion, but we also need the points.

“We got a good point against Aveley last week, but we could have easily won the game at the end when their goalkeeper made a double save.

“It seems as though we perform better when we play the teams who are fighting near the top of the table and hopefully that will be the case tomorrow.”

Although there are split loyalties ahead of the encounter, one family member has already nailed his colours to the mast.

“My grandad, Burt, has already said that he wants Bowers to win,” conceded Pete, who joined Basildon for a second spell last month.

“He has been going to watch Bowers for years and he is basically part of the furniture now, so I can’t blame him for wanting them to win.

“But my other family members, like my nieces, have all said they want a draw.

“Brad has been doing well for Bowers and he’s really enjoying his football since going back there from AFC Hornchurch.

“He enjoyed his time there before and I don’t think he ever really wanted to leave Bowers in the first place.

“But he is back there now and doing well, which is good to see, but I’m hoping we can keep him quiet this weekend.”

Bowers head into the clash having opened up an 11 point gap at the top of the Isthmian North standings thanks to a 4-1 win over Romford in midweek.

Although Bowers boss Rob Small is looking forward to locking horns with the local rivals, he insists his side will treat it like any other match.

“I’m satisfied to have won seven matches in a row, but we’re not over-celebrating,” said Small.

“Other teams have gone on similar runs and you can then go on a bad run.

“The boys are doing a terrific job but things will only get more difficult as the weeks go by and we can’t be overzealous in our celebrations.

“Games against Basildon always have a bit extra to them but, for us, it’s just another game with the same number of points as any other game so there is no extra significance from out point of view.”