Witham entertained Division 2 rivals Braintree Town Supporters in the Charlie Turnball Cup and if form and table positions was to go by this should have been a straight forward win for the Galacticos but BTSC had different ideas.
The Galacticos made one change with Aaron Williams coming in at right back and the versatile Charlie Humphrys going in goal (regular goalkeeper Cannock was in Brighton with the fellas....no girls just guys....I wonder!). Conditions for the game were similar to the previous week with a strong wind making it difficult.
The first half was very scrappy with the home side struggling to make an impact and string together there football and the away team showing alot of resilience. The away side took the lead after 13 minutes when the striker peeled off the Galacticos centre backs and dinked the ball over Humphrys. The Galacticos were struggling to make an impact with the final ball repeatedly letting them down and the away side restricting the home side to shots from distance.
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After a word from the gaffer the home side increased their tempo in the second half and took more of a strong hold in the game with Orr, Lawes and Vicarage wasting good chances. The opposition still tried to grab a second goal and were being more direct giving the Glacticos back four alot of work to do but Clark and Murphy as ever were very strong and didn't give an inch. As the Galacticos pushed for an equaliser the away side grabbed the important second goal on 71 minutes after breaking away down the Galacticos left and crossed in for a simple tap in. It looked as if it was going to be one of them days for Witham not being able to convert their possession and chances into goals and in a last ditch push Jeffery threw on Adams at the expense of Stone and changed to a more attacking formation of 3-5-2. Galacticos pushed forward and nearly conceded a 3rd when Clark was caught in possession 25 yards out and the opposition were through on goal but Humphrys was there 2 pull off 2 fantastic saves to keep the Galacticos in the game and back in the game they were, on 78 minutes a wonder goal from Adam Ratcliffe gave them hope, a corner from the right flew across the box to Ratcliffe who at a tight angle hit the ball first time on the half volley into the right hand sanction of the goal leaving the keeper stranded. Ratcliffe couldn't believe his finish and celebrated by screaming what a goal numerous times!! The manager re focused him and the Galacticos burst into life pushing for the equaliser and on 84 minutes it was captain Mitchell Yeo who stood up battled through a challenge and blasted home from 25 yards to send the Galacticos into a frenzy. The momentum was now with Witham who pushed for a winner but the away side held on to send the game into extra time
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The 1st period of extra time began and the Galacticos were in free flow and took the lead within 3 minutes of the start. An inswinging corner from Yeo was met by the head of Lawes 4 yards out to give the home side the lead. The Galacticos were in complete control and could have extended their lead if it wasn't for the away teams goalkeeper.
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When the second half commenced it didn't look like the Galacticos had played 105 minutes of football...quite the opposite! Witham had all the possession and were playing at a much faster pace than they had done in the game, within 2 minutes of the restart Jamie Adams was in the right place (as he always is) to tap home after good work by Yeo. 7 minutes later Jamie Lawes got his second of the game from 6 yards after a cut back from Ratcliffe on the left. 3 minutes from time it was 6-2 with Adams getting his second of the game heading home after good work down the right from McCormack.
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In the end a convincing win and again it was pleasing to see the resilience and fight within the team to come back from the brink and progress to the next round. Overall the stats are a good read:- 8 wins on the bounce in all competitions, still in all 4 cups and second in the league with a game in hand over the leaders. Man of the match was Charlie Humphrys who has not just shown he can play anywhere on the pitch and do a good job he pulled out a superb double save that ended up being the defining moment of the match.
Bring on Valley next week in a mouth watering top of the table clash : )
