ROB Small was full of praise for Bowers & Pitsea after dismantling an in-form Barking and recording a comprehensive 9-0 victory at the Len Salmon Stadium.

David Knight grabbed four of the goals, while strike partner Lewis Manor completed a brace.

Brad Warner and Quentin Monville added their names to the scoresheet, with Abs Seymour also putting through his own net as Bowers recorded a 12th consecutive triumph.

But Small was keen to downplay the scoreline and remind his players that there is still work to do before clinching the Isthmian North title.

“Goals change games and we scored good goals in the first half, which made life difficult for Barking,” said the Bowers boss.

“The goals took a lot of energy from them while giving us the impetus to keep going and scoring more goals.

“I don’t want to get too carried away even though I know the scoreline will probably cause a bit of a stir.

“It is only three points and it won’t be difficult to bring down the boys after such a big win.

“That’s not because I’m a great manager but because they know what they need to do.

“The players are very focused and they will enjoy it, but they know there are still plenty of points to play for.

“There is still work to do and although it is a big scoreline, it is still only as valuable as a 1-0 win.”

Warner’s sweetly struck effort put Bowers in front inside four minutes and Manor doubled the hosts’ advantage soon after.

Manor completed his brace - after referee Rhys Battye consulted his linesman - close to the half hour mark, while there was still time for Knight and Monville to add their names to the scoresheet before the break.

Knight profited from a howler from Barking goalkeeper Montel Joseph seven minutes after the interval and substitute Seymour put through his own net to further compound a day to forget for the visitors.

Knight completed his hat-trick by heading home, before completing the scoring from the penalty spot late on.

But Small insisted his side were relentless due to their respect for Justin Gardner’s Barking.

“You’ve got to be a bit delicate and show a bit of grace because I don’t want to heap too much embarrassment on our opponents, but it was a very good performance from us,” added Small.

“We kept going because we respect Barking and didn’t want to invite them back into the game.

“Our players just kept delivering and it was one of those days where a lot of things went right for us.

“We will take that and move on but remember that there are still six games to go and they will not all end up like that.

“We have to be ready for when it doesn’t.”