Witham Galacticos went away to new club Bocking Social reserves on Sunday. Jamie Lawes returned from injury so Charlie Humphry went back to right back in replace of the injured Aaron Williams. Witham also had new signing Ben Haywood on the bench.
The weather was terrible with a constant downpour through out the morning but apart from it being wet and slippery the pitch was playable. The Galacticos started poorly with Bocking going 1-0 up after 3 minutes but responded on 10 minutes when Ratcliffe released Jamie Lawes down the left who drove into the box and placed the ball past the keeper at his near post, and 2 minutes later the same players combined with a brilliant one two and it was Ratcliffe burying the ball to the keepers left to make it 2-1. Galacticos where again playing some good football after a slow start keeping the ball well in poor conditions. On 26 minutes McCormack got his 10th goal of the campaign and Galacticos 3rd after his cross from the right wing flew straight into the net. With Galacticos seeming to control the game and create chance after chance Bocking from nothing reduced the deficit to a single goal on 30 minutes after their strikers linked up to go clear through on goal and blast the ball into the keepers bottom right hand corner. Ten minutes later captain Yeo scored the goal of the game to restore the 2 goal lead with a superb strike 30 yards out that flew into the top right hand corner of the net and on the stroke of half time McCormack and Humphry linked up well down the right and Humphry's cross was diverted into the net by the Bocking defender
HALF TIME BOCKING SOCIAL RESERVES 2 WITHAM GALACTICOS 5
The second half began and it was all Witham linking the play well from the back to the front. The Galacticos back four completely controlled all of Bockings attempts of getting back into the game and Cannock on 2 occasions was quickly off his line to intercept any threats. On 58 minutes Lawes got his second of the game, Vicarage delivered a perfect ball into the box and Lawes was on hand to dive infront of the out rushing keeper and nod home to make it 6-2. The Galacticos decided to make some changes with new boy Haywood coming on for McCormack, Adams on for Orr and shortly after Bromley on for Stone. Witham looked a threat for the rest of the game but it took till the 89th minute to grab their 7th goal and it was debutant Haywood on the scoresheet after a well taken goal from Bromley's throw in. A minute later Yeo scored a free Kick just outside the box after Ratcliffe was brought down after riding 2 challenges to end the game 8-2.
FINAL SCORE BOCKING SOCIAL RESERVES 2 WITHAM GALACTICOS 8
Another good performance in tough conditions and again Witham showed good character in coming from a goal down to take all 3 points. Some very good and steady performances from all the guys but it was Steve Vicarage who got this weeks man of the match with a strong and disciplined performance in the middle of the park (we won't talk about his shooting!)
