Witham Galacticos bounced back to winning ways with a good 3-1 against Panfield Bell in the Charlie Turnball Cup. Galacticos had a few key players missing with both Jamie Lawes and Adam Ratcliffe missing and Del Ballard AWOL with some guy called Julian he met the night before (his whereabouts are still unknown). So Charlie Humphreys came into the squad playing alongside Mitchell Yeo in the attacking midfield role, Jamie Adams replacing Ratty outwide and Aaron came in at full back for Del Ballard.
The Galacticos started well after 4 minutes from a set piece Jamie Adams headed into the goal from 6 yards only for it to be arguably disallowed for offside, 2 minutes later Jamie was again involved out muscling the fullback and bearing down on goal from the right, Adams struck it well from 8 yards at the near post but the Panfield Keeper done well to steer it around his post for a corner. The away side was starting to play some good football and the back four of Jack, Aaron, Dan and Clarky were keeping the ball well and distributing the ball to feet. After 18 minutes Aaron Williams who was constantly dangerous down the right hand side played a great pass to Charlie Humphry who turned on the ball and layed it off to Ryan McCormack who from 25 yards steered the ball beautifully to the keepers right, to get his 4th goal in 3 games. The Galacticos started to look comfortable and had the majority of the possession, the home goalkeeper was kicking the ball upfield at every opportunity but Clarky and Jack were winning everything in the air and where playing the ball comfortably out of the back. Steve Vicarage was seeing alot of the ball and playing the ball around at ease, picking out players at every opportunity. On 39 minutes Humphreys who was a constant thread in the oppositions third picked up the ball 25 yards out and cracked a shot towards the keepers left that looked a certain goal but the home keeper did well at full stretch to tip it round the post.
Half Time Panfield Bell 0 Witham Galacticos 1
The Galacticos came out for the second half aiming to build on their possession and grab the killer goal, but the home side had different ideas and was pressing the away side back. On 52 minutes Panfield grabbed the equaliser after nicely going round three players outside the box his shot was well blocked only for it to fall at the strikers feet to bury the ball in the bottom left hand corner. The Galacticos now had there backs against the wall but for some great defending from the entire back four and on three occasions the Galacticos captain tracking back and making some vital strong challenges. Cannock and Clark where vocal and organising a much better looking back four and Stone and Williams where still providing much space for a good outlet and distributing the ball well. On 65 minutes the away team was back in front after some great pressure by McCormack down the right and the vision and work rate of Kane Orr who had battled for everything up top intercepted a ball back to the keeper, rounded him and cut back in to finish from a acute angle. The home side now pressured for an equaliser but Cannock was quick off his line to cut out any through balls and the defencive line was standing firm with some good protection from Vicarage and Yeo. The away sides wingers and Humphryes and Orr also played there part pressing the ball high up the pitch restricting Panfield from playing any simple balls and on 78 minutes the pressure created another goal as a mistake in the home teams defence presented a chance to McCormack 15 yards out who on the half volley smashed the ball into the top left hand corner of the net.
Full Time Panfield Bell 1 Witham Glacticos 3
Galacticos go into the draw for the next round and a great response after last weeks dissapointing result. The entire team worked hard in all areas of the pitch and the quality of football was alot better. Encouragingly the defence seemed alot more organised with alot of communication between themselves and some good distribution. Everyones individual performances where much better but the man of the match performance was close between Humphreys and Williams but it was Williams who edged it. A very energetic performance from Aaron Williams who was consistently up and down creating both a threat going forward but also played very strongly at the back
Bring on Phoenix next week (and Jacks engagement!!)
