Witham entertained Shalford at home on a freezing Sunday morning. Murphy was missing through injury so Whipps come back into the side at left back with Ahern moving to centre back.
The visitors only had 10 men but started on top with Witham struggling to keep the ball early on, there height advantage was key early doors but the defence held strong. On 13 minutes against the run of play Orr brilliant through ball found Panting at an angle out on the right and from just inside the box he slotted home to give Witham the lead and keep up his good scoring record. Shalford come straight back and created some good chances with Cannock making 2 good saves and Witham on one occasion were saved by the post. Yeo nearly extended Witham's lead when he took a throw in on his chest and his overhead kick come back off the crossbar. On 33 minutes Stoneham scored a superb goal from 25 yards when he collected Yeo's ball and his drive at goal took a slight deflection and flew into the back of the net.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 2 CFC SHALFORD RES 0
Witham started the half better when they kept the ball more against there 10 men opponents and forced open the Shalford team. On 48 minutes Lawes made it 3-0 with a superb individual goal, he collected the ball 30 yards out on the left ran at the full back, cut back inside on to his right foot and slotted the ball past the keeper. Witham extended the lead 2 minutes later when Orr again cut open the defence with a perfectly weighted pass that found Lawes and he finished from 10 yards. Witham were in complete control and kept the ball well and out of the reach of the opposition and there frustration showed when they was reduced to 9 men after there midfielder kicked out. Witham pushed forward with a 2 man advantage but the ground was now soggy and it was a struggle to move the ball quickly. Lawes nearly grabbed his hat trick when Yeo found him inside the 6 yard box but the keeper saved well with his feet and Orr had a chance also well saved. On 85 minutes Humphry's grabbed Witham's 5th when he buried the ball from 15 yards after good work by Jackson on the left.
FINAL SCORE WITHAM GALACTICOS 5 CFC SHALFORD RES 0
Another 3 points gained even if it wasnt our best performance but we got the job done, conditions definitely didnt help especially when we had a 2 player advantage to grab some more goals. Whipps and Humphry was again impressive in there respectable positions and are showing real consistency week in week out and that goes for Lawes and Panting too who have kept up a superb record of goals in recent games. Orr again was impressive and with the ball at his feet his passing can easily open up defences as its shown in recent weeks, but man of the match today goes to Ahern who again showed a rock solid defensive display as he has done in the last couple of weeks with a simple but effective performance. Big game against Zizou next week to keep this large gap at the top of the league before Christmas
Thanks again to Stoneham who is still there week in week out considering his long term injury and Adams who both assisted us on Sunday....looking forward to having these two back in red : )
