Southend United defender Mitchell Ward has reflected on the benefits and frustrations of his loan spell at Bowers & Pitsea. The 18-year-old left-back has become a regular for the Isthmian North side but suffered a hamstring problem in a disappointing defeat this week.

Ward's parent club, Southend United, are enjoying a strong season themselves, sitting third in the National League with 24 points from 12 games. Their next test is a trip to face Boston United this weekend, as they look to close an eight-point gap to the top of the table.

"My loan has been going very well so far with Bowers," Ward said. He feels the experience of playing men's football against senior opposition is accelerating his development. Being around older, more experienced players in the Bowers squad is providing valuable lessons, and he acknowledges the need to maintain consistency as he improves.

Recent match reaction

The positive progress was tempered by a frustrating 1-0 loss for Bowers & Pitsea at Walthamstow on Tuesday night. The decisive goal came just two minutes from time, with the hosts down to ten men. Ward had to be substituted late in the match due to a hamstring issue.

"Tuesday night was very frustrating," Ward admitted. He said the team switched off at a critical moment, which proved costly. The young defender highly doubts he will be available for selection when Bowers face fifth-placed Newmarket Town this Saturday but hopes his teammates can bounce back to winning ways.

Team context

Bowers & Pitsea have made a solid start to their Isthmian North campaign and currently sit ninth in the table. They face a tough challenge against a Newmarket Town side that has won its last eight matches. Ward's focus, alongside his recovery, is on the collective need for greater clinical edge in attack and defensive discipline.

For Southend fans tracking the progress of their loaned players, Ward's experiences at Bowers are a key part of his pathway. The Blues' own recent form shows three wins in their last five games, including a 3-1 victory over AFC Fylde. Supporters can follow the first team's push for promotion via the latest standings and fixtures.

Looking ahead, Ward hopes Bowers can return to winning ways after the setback against Walthamstow.

The original report is at echo-news.co.uk