The Galacticos eventually played there last 16 game in the county cup against Fort Utd at the astro pitch at the University in Wivenhoe. Witham knew they were in for a tough game against undefeated opposition who are flying high in the Southend Sceptre League. The Galacticos stuck with the 4-3-3 formation that scored 12 goals against BTSC, a couple of changes were made with Ratcliffe coming in and McCormack moving to full back.
The Galacticos started strongly and after a few minutes nearly took the lead when Yeo struck the post from 20 yards. The front 3 pressed the opposition high up the pitch and the movement between Lawes, Yeo, Stoneham, Ratcliffe and Orr was telling on Fort's back four who were struggling to contain them. On 10 minutes Witham took the lead when Yeo beat 2 players and drove to the byline and pulled the ball back which took a deflection and fell at the feet of Orr who blasted home from 12 yards through a crowd of defenders. Galacticos pushed for a second with Stoneham and Ratcliffe all going close. Fort started to get back into the game but Witham back four stood strong and dealt with all that was thrown at them, Cannock was barking his orders keeping the back four in shape with Clark and Murphy winning everything supported by McCormack and Adams being a good outlet to get the ball moving again from the back. On 42 minutes the Galacticos extended there lead, Orr pressed the centre back high up the pitch and forced him to clear the ball across the box and it fell at the feet of Stoneham 15 yards out, who finished superbly by driving the ball into the bottom right hand corner.
HALF TIME FORT UTD 0 WITHAM GALACTICOS 2
The second half began and Witham again kept the ball and showed why there fighting on all fronts this season with superb link up play from the back to the front. There was a scare on 50 minutes when a strike on goal from the opponents rattled the crossbar but in fairness to Witham they had defended so well as a unit and restricted Fort to shots from distance. On 53 minutes Witham extended there lead when good work from Ratcliffe and Orr forced a corner which Yeo delivered inswinging to the back post and was met by the impressive Murphy. It was one way traffic with the opposition opening up to try and force an opening but again the Witham's back four was impressive in breaking the play and quickly countering everything. Ratcliffe then went close after good work between him and Stoneham and it was Stoneham again who hit a rocket from 30 yards on the half volley but the keeper pulled off a good save to keep it out. On 61 minutes the game was dead and buried, Ratcliffe and Lawes worked well down the left with Ratcliffe sliding the ball to Lawes who beat the centre back to the ball and tucked home from 15 yards. Ratcliffe nearly got the goal he deserved when he his header at goal was well saved by the keeper. On 78 minutes it was five when a pin point cross from Stoneham was headed home by Lawes to get his second of the game. Substitute Williams nearly made it six when from full back he made a dangerous run into the box but his shot was well saved by the keeper.
FINAL SCORE FORT UTD 0 WITHAM GALACTICOS 5
A brilliant performance from everyone and its really starting to show on the pitch how hard everyone is working as a team and to reach the last 8 of the county cup is a huge achievement considering there was well over a 100 teams entered. We have defeated some strong opposition on the way and this shows how far we have come. A mention for the back four, Shannon and with Steve's protection who worked tirelessly to keep a clean sheet and Ryan who shows he can cut it at full back : ). The midfield and attackers whoes movement and link up play look so dangerous in every attack. Hats off to you all.
Man of the match was near on impossible to select as the boys played so well but we shortlisted it to Kano who was again very impressive and worked hard so hard in the top end of the pitch, Yeo who alongside Lawes bossed the middle of the park and was a constant threat with his dangerous drives and the centre back partnership of Murphy and Clark who won everything in the air and made some vital tackles and interceptions, but as voted for by the team it was Jack Murphy who was selected as today's man of the match.
