Witham welcomed Bocking Social in the division 1 cup quarter final. Witham welcomed back Adams from injury who has missed the last 4 months with an ankle problem and Jack Stoneham who had over a year out with a broken leg.
Witham knew there opponents were strong having already beating some strong opposition this year and were instructed to start quickly. The Galacticos did just that forcing 2 superb saves from the Bocking keeper in the first 5 minutes, firstly Orr whose half volley from just outside the 18 yard box was well saved and Ahern's header was tipped around the post. On 6 minutes Witham broke the deadlock when Yeo was brought down inside the box and he got up to slot home the resulting penalty. Against the run of play minutes later Bocking equalised when a mistake at the back let in the striker and he made no mistake. Witham continued to push forward and were dominating large spells of the half. Panting was dangerous out wide and he won a dangerous free kick 30 yards out when he skipped around 3 players and was brought down, Lawes took the free kick but the keeper held on to his shot. Panting then come close again when he beat his man down the right hand side and his shot across goal missed the post by inches. Yeo then went close on the opposite side when he beat 2 defenders but his shot again just went wide. It was Yeo again who nearly got his and Witham's second when he run on to a long ball from Harry Stoneham and just beat the keeper to the ball but his lob just missed the target. Cannock was called in to action at the end of the half when he got down well to his right to hold on to a fierce drive. Witham appealed strongly for a penalty in the dying seconds when Yeo was tripped just outside the 6 yard box when he was about to shoot but the appeals were waved away by the ref.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 1 BOCKING SOCIAL 1
The second half started with Witham again on the front foot, Witham moved the ball around well considering the pitch conditions were worsening and it was Humphry in the thick of it with some superb strong tackles and accurate passing. Lawes had a shot go just over when he picked the ball up on the left cut in to his right foot but his effort went just over. 58 minutes gone and Witham got the goal they deserved, Murphy picked up a clearance and brilliantly knocked the ball past his opponent out wide and sent in a pin point cross that was met by Panting, his volley looked destined for the back of the net but again the keeper saved superbly but Ahern was on hand to volley in the follow up from 8 yards to get his first goal for the club. Witham nearly extended there lead minutes later when Lawes picked up a neat flick by Yeo but his curling effort just missed the target. At the other end Witham were nearly caught on the counter attack but the desire and pace of Jackson to get back and win the ball helped retain the one goal cushion. Murphy then come off injured and was replaced by Clark and Orr come off and was replaced by Jack Stoneham which was a joy to everyone considering his long time out and the injury he suffered when playing in last years semi final win. Jack Stoneham himself was working his way into the game and his shot from 25 yards just went over the bar. Bocking were now pushing on and elected to sacrifice a defender for an attacker as they searched for an equaliser, Clark was up for it though after his introduction and made some superb tackles alongside Ahern. On 83 minutes though Bocking got level when a shot from 18 yards hit Clark and the rebound fell kindly to the opponents striker 8 yards out and unmarked he slotted home. All of a sudden Bocking looked favourites and had the momentum and it was a concern that Witham's missed chances might come back to haunt them, In the dying minutes Harry Stoneham and Pat Ahern made vital tackles and interceptions to keep the tie alive, then it seemed over in injury time when Ahern mis-judged a ball and the Bocking striker was clean through on goal he rounded Cannock and had an empty net from 10 yards he shot at goal but Clark made a superb diving clearance from nowhere to save the Galacticos......it wasnt over there Jackson picked up the ball and played it up field to Stoneham, he squared it to Yeo 30 yards out he looked up and first time smashed the ball into the top right hand corner of the net leaving the keeper no chance and the Galacticos went into a frenzy around there captain and goalscorer. Straight after the goal the ref blew his whistle and it was Witham into the semi finals of the cup!
FINAL SCORE WITHAM GALACTICOS 3 BOCKING SOCIAL 2
Another Cup semi final but that was too close : ) Well done boys and some great character to steal the win with a superb goal. It was great for us all to see Adams back (sorry Jamie for the 20 sec appearance) and Jack who have missed the majority/all of the season and they will help us push on for the double. Also pleasing to see Ahern round off his recent strong performances with his first goal for the club and great to see some strength in the squad with the introductions of Clark and Holder who give us real strength. Man of the match goes to Humphry who worked tirelessly throughout the game and was also very calm and composed on the ball. Back to league matters next week with a tough game away at Shalford.
