Witham entertained Divison 1 side CFC Shalford in defence of their Malcom Foy Trophy at the quarter final stage. Witham welcomed back Adam Clark from injury and got a boost when Ratcliffe and Stoneham were declared fit to play.
Witham struggled in the early stages to play football against an experienced and strong Shalford side. Shalford won everything in the air and put pressure on Witham's back four. At every opportunity Shalford would go long and hit their tall men and it was paying off for them. On 23 minutes there pressure earned them a goal when a long ball picked out there striker who beat Cannock to the ball and lobbed the ball over him into an empty net. It woke Witham up and they started to get back into the game. On the half hour mark Jamie Lawes nearly equalised after super build up play but Shalford's keeper superbly denied him. Shalford where reduced to 10 men due to injuries but that didnt stop them getting a second goal similar to the first after they won the ball in midfield and put through there striker who again finished smartly (his celebration was ridiculous!). Witham nearly pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time after a goal mouth scramble from a corner but the away side survived.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 0 CFC SHALFORD RES 2
Witham had 45 minutes to turn the game around and hold on to their trophy. Witham started strong keeping the ball really well and keeping the away side on the back foot, Vicarage and Yeo were dropping deep and dictating the play with the frontmen working tirelessly to get Witham back into the game. Stoneham and Lawes both had chances but could not find a way through. On the hour mark Witham brought on Cullum in place of Adams and changed to a more attacking 3-5-2 formation. The change sparked a revival and Cullum was getting himself involved and troubling the Shalford defence who were now holding on by a thread. Lawes had a header go just wide and a shot from 25 yards, while Orr couldnt get a touch when found by Cullum in the box. Eventually on 67 minutes Witham got the break through, Stoneham picked the ball up on the left 40 yards out and sent in a dangerous ball that was met by Ratcliffe 6 yards out at the back post and he headed home. The momentum was with Witham and it was only a matter of time before the equaliser, and it was Withams top goalscorer Orr who picked a ball up from Lawes and with his back to goal he turnt and shot first time to make the game all square. The next ten minutes was all Witham with Cullum a constant threat it looked inevitable that the winning goal would come and on 87 minutes it did. Cullum received the ball 20 yards out from the impressive Vicarage moved onto his right foot, looked up and superbly placed the ball into the top right hand corner. The Galacticos celebrated with Cullum doing a great impression of Shalford striker earlier on. Shalford tried to chase the game in the dying seconds throwing men forward but Witham countered with Lawes down the left who crossed for Stoneham and as he shot he was brought down by the keeper. Yeo picked the ball up and calmly slotted home to put Witham into the Semi Finals.
A great comeback from everyone and again we showed real spirit to get back into the game, I think everyone realised how much this trophy does mean to us. Again our defence looks strong and it helped having Clark back, Humphrys was consistent as ever and the midfield trio of Yeo, Vicarage and Lawes took the game by the scruff of its neck in the second half and were key to us getting back into the game. It was promising seeing Ratcliffe and Stoneham back working there way back to fitness and having them back in the side showed our strength going forward. Cullum was very impressive coming on and hugely influenced us getting back into the game. Man of the match was close between Steve Vicarage who showed for the ball at every opportunity and never put a foot wrong and Jamie Lawes who put in a real hard working shift in the second half by pressing and chasing the ball down and linking up the play when in possession. Lawes just edged it in the end (Steve never gets it!)
Now we have a big semi final against rivals Valley Green to look forward to but next week we have TK Eagles in the league so lets not forget our jobs not done there yet and we still need to win our remaining 5 games to ensure at least promotion.
