Witham hosted high flyers Cressing F.C in the semi final of the invitational trophy hoping they could reach their 6th cup final in 5 years.
Witham started brightly and after 7 minutes nearly broke the deadlock when Yeo ran on to a through ball from Lawes, went round the onrushing keeper but from a tight angle just misplaced his pass across the box. 11 minutes in and it was Witham who took the lead when Murphy lost his marker and headed home from close range after a corner delivered perfectly by Lawes. Witham stayed on the front foot and nearly made in 2 but Panting's shot went just wide. Cressing where constantly looking to find there striker who has been the top scorer in the league for 2 years running but Ahern had him under complete control and was on his toes everytime he touched the ball. Cannock who didnt have much to do was called into action after 36 minutes with a fingertip save. On 39 minutes Witham made it 2-0 when Panting finished calmly from 8 yards after good work by Yeo down the left. On the stoke of half time it was nearly 3 when Yeo's shot was well saved and J Stonehams shot on the volley from 12 yards went just wide.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 2 CRESSING FC 0
Witham expected an onslaught in the second half but it was quite the opposite. In the opening minutes H Stoneham missed 2 opportunities when presented the ball infront of goal. To make amends though his performance in the middle of the park was strong and alongside Long they kept the threat from the opposition minimal. Panting then grabbed the third goal after scoring a superb goal from a tight angle when he blasted home from 15 yards after a defence splitting ball from J. Stoneham. Yeo just before the hour mark eventually got on the score sheet when his shot also from a tight angle went in at the near post. Cressing upped there game in a desperate attempt to get back salvage something but the keeper and back four where first to everything and J Stoneham was winning everything coming forward. On 74 minutes Cressing did get a goal from a goal mouth scramble from a corner and nearly grabbed a second but Panting was on hand to clear off the line. On 86 minutes it was game, set and match when Lawes superbly controlled a long goal kick from Jackson (replaced the injured Cannock in goal) out on the left and played a pin point pass to J Stoneham who cleverly flicked the ball over the keeper to make it 5. Cressing had a man sent off in the dying minutes for dissent but it was Witham who again made another cup final!
An unbelievable performance and you wouldnt have thought we was the underdogs going into the game!! A fantastic team performance that had strength, skill, desire and for the first time in a while we was first to everything. Every player was on there game and if we turn up against our local rivals like that in the final there will be only one winner. I think both Lawes and Panting deserve special mentions today, fantastic all round performances from our wingers that had skill and pace going forward but also great work rate and desire when called upon to defend. Our midfield combination of Long and H Stoneham were rock solid in the middle of the park and helped control the pace of the game and their dangerous runners. J Stoneham supported the balance of midfield to attack well cleaning up everything in the air and with some great forward play. Defensively was one of the best we have played and barely looked under threat, with that being said Pat Ahern was todays man of the match with a 10 out of 10 performance. The league's best striker was made to look less than ordinary and his leadership at the back was noticeable
Bring on Valley! :)
