ROB Small says Bowers & Pitsea must remember where they came from when they welcome Barkingside to the Len Salmon Stadium tomorrow.

Bowers have made an impressive start to their inaugural Isthmian Premier League campaign and will be eager to take their fine form into the FA Cup preliminary round tie.

But Small insists his side will not take anything for granted.

“It would be a huge mistake to underestimate anyone, especially in the FA Cup,” said the Bowers boss.

“We have to remember our roots and a lot of our players have come through the pyramid.

“We have had those moments of being the team in the lower league playing a team in a higher league, so we have what they will be going through in their dressing room.”

Barkingside ply their trade in the Eastern Counties League Division One South after suffering relegation from the Essex Senior League last term.

And Small is not used to Bowers going into encounters as the favourites to triumph.

“I don’t remember not feeling like an underdog going into a game,” added Small.

“To be honest, I don’t like being seen as the favourites.

“I prefer being the underdog really and I have become accustomed to that feeling.”

The clash comes just 48 hours before Bowers will be involved in a local derby with East Thurrock United.

But Small is fully focused on guiding Bowers into the next round of the FA Cup and hopes to go on a run to remember in the competition.

“We want to get into the next round and we won’t be thinking about our game with East Thurrock on Bank Holiday Monday until after tomorrow’s match.

“The prize money helps the club, but that doesn’t way to heavily on my mind because I try to distance myself from that.

“We all dream of putting together that magical FA Cup run and we go into every season hoping it will be our turn to do that.

“But we won’t take anything for granted.”