Witham entertained former county cup champions Daen Ingas in our first home game of the season. Goalkeeper Webb was missing through injury so scout Stoneham worked his magic again and done a last minute deal to sign Lucca Rossi who made his debut. Murphy was also away in Greece so Jackson shifted across to centre back and the versatile Rowlands deputised at right back after his good performance last week. Except for the backline it was an unchanged side.
Ingas started straight from kick off and won a corner in the first minute after Rossi made a near post save, Witham cleared but the opponents had a free shot from 20 yards that went wide. Witham took a few minutes to get started but eventually began to knock the ball about from defence and nearly took the lead when a ball from Rowlands found OC who was just beaten to the ball by the onrushing keeper. On 8 minutes Yeo won a corner on the left and he stepped up to deliver an inswinging corner that was met by Clark at the back post to head home. On 14 minutes Yates nearly made it 2 but his shot was well saved. 18 minutes on the clock and some good build up play found H Stoneham in some space who played a diagonal ball on the right to Rowlands who just met it and his delivery was goalbound but just tipped over the bar. H Stoneham took the corner on the right and he picked out Jackson whose front post run had confused the oppositions defence and he headed home from 5 yards. 3 minutes later and Adams was judged to obstruct his opposite number and Ingas had a dangerous indirect free kick from 20 yards. A tee up and shot was well saved by Rossi but only in to the path of the opposition who tapped home from inside the 6 yard box. Now it was more end to end and Jackson was twice called upon to make last ditch tackles when it looked certain that the opposing striker would be in at goal. At the other end Yeo, Stoneham, Yates and OC where quick to counter attack and was in not for a few weak final passes the score could have easy been 3-1. Stoneham was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when he was picked out just inside the box by Yeo but his placed shot just went wide. On the stroke of half time Rossi cleared the ball quickly to Yates who headed the ball into the path of OC's run and has he bared down on goal he was clever in flicking the ball over to the keeper to regain Witham's 2 goal advantage.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 3 DAEN INGAS 1
Dean Ingas come out with more venom in the second half and put the defensive line under pressure with Jackson and Clarky constantly making last ditch tackles and headers to clear the lines. At the other end Witham's front four looked dangerous on the counter attack as the opposition opened up in search for a goal. Johnson on a couple of occasions nearly created chances with a good through ball to Yates wrongly flagged for offside when through on goal. Ingas continued to throw everything into attack and Rossi put his body on the line when intercepting a close one on one and was injured in the process, yet he continued. At the other end Witham where still dangerous but was wasting chances and made to suffer on 75 minutes when Ingas made in 3-2 after good work down the right resulted in the striker blasting home from 10 yards. Continued pressure nearly resulted in an equaliser but for a wasted header at the back post by the opponents and another great tackle by Jackson kept the game in Witham's favour. Holder and minutes later Rowlands were put into the middle to support and strengthen the centre and proved to be resilient and ease the pressure, both winning numerous headers. At the other end Yates had chances to put the game to bed but the heavy legs were clearly visible. Witham held on to claim all 3 points and stay at the top of the table.
FULL TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 3 DAEN INGAS 2
A hard fought victory and a huge 3 points earned. We showed a different part of our game and eventually grinded out the result, even though we had chances to win it could have gone either way. Our attack still looks dangerous in both our build up play and counter attacks, on another day we could have scored 6-7. Defence again looks strong and showed today how it can deal with huge amounts of pressure without panicking. The partnership of Clark and Jackson was rock solid with Jackson being today's man of the match. Jackson showed huge commitment with last ditch tackles, interceptions and clearances wrapped up by a well taken goal :)
Free week next week boys before a tough fixture against level table toppers.
