Witham welcomed last years promotion rivals to Bramston for there first home game of the season. Panting replaced the injured Holder and Whipps was missing through suspension.
Panfield started brightly and tested Cannock early on but he showed a good set of hands. Murphy and Stoneham were then on hand to make some last ditched tackles to keep the scores level. The game was slightly messy and Panfield used the wind to there advantage with some long and dangerous balls aimed into the box but on numerous occasions Cannock was on hand with some good protection from the back four. Witham's first chance come when Yeo had his shot blocked and a minute later Murphy's turn and shot just inside the box was well saved by the opponents keeper. On 25 minutes Clark replaced Stoneham who was having some breathing difficulties. Panfield went close again on the half hour mark but Cannock pulled off a superb save to his right. Panting who was working tirelessly down the right nearly got rewarded when he pressed the defender and won the ball and as he drove in on goal his shot was well saved. Orr was next to press the goalkeeper into a mistake and his clearance fell to Johnson whose shot from 20 yards was pushed onto the bar. Panting then again from nothing created a chance when his pace kept in the ball in play but his delivery was just overhit. Jackson then made a vital interception at the other end and that was followed up by Murphy who's sliding clearance kept the game deadlocked when Panfield looked certain to score after there striker rounded Cannock. Jackson was involved again when he went on a blistering run down the right, beat 2 players but his shot went wide. On the stroke of half time it was Cannock that kept the game level as he made a finger tip save over the bar.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 0 PANFIELD BELL 0
Witham started the second half much brighter and Johnson shot from 20 yards just missed the post. Lawes was also finding more freedom playing centrally and on 2 occasions just missed out on playing both Johnson and Panting in behind the back four. Within 10 minutes of the second half played Witham missed a superb opportunity to take the lead when a corner in was just missed by Murphy but Jacksons follow up agonisingly went over the bar. Lawes then had a great chance to break the deadlock when Yeo beat 2 defenders and crossed the ball across the 6 yard box but Lawes effort from close range went over the bar. Witham made 2 changes with Stoneham returning to the field in replace of Vicarage and Adams replacing Orr, Yeo moved up front with Stoneham and Humphrys coming into the centre of midfield. Immediately the fresh legs created problems for the opposition as the pace and strength of the new midfield combination gave the attacking four more freedom to play there football. On 67 minutes Johnson played a superb ball round the back of the defence to Yeo who's first touch was just a bit heavy and the keeper was quickly out to save at his feet. On 74 minutes the deadlock was broken, Johnson found room down the left and delivered a pin point ball to Panting who tapped home to reward his hard work. 2 minutes later Panting and Johnson were involved again when Johnsons delivery was met on the chest by Panting inside the box but he was barged over and the ref awarded the penalty. Yeo was on hand to place the penalty home to increase his 100% record from the spot. Panfield pushed forward to try and get away back into the game but Stoneham and Humphrys made some superb challenges to take the sting out of the game and then both Clarky and Murphy was on hand to win decisive headers from the back. On 84 minutes Galacticos killed the game off when Panting who was involved in everything found Lawes inside the box with a superb pass, Lawes first touch cut him across the keeper and he slotted coolly home to make it 3-0. 3 minutes later Lawes then turned provider when his crisp ball found Stoneham just inside the box on the left and as Stoneham opened up his body to place the ball into the far right hand corner he at the last minute wrapped his foot around the ball to place home at the near post. Panfield did claim a consolation goal in injury time when Adams was adjudged to have committed a foul and the spot kick was given. Cannock made a superb save to his right but the ref signalled a retake as one of Panfield's players had entered the box early?! Rightly or wrongly the spot kick was retaken and this time they slotted home.
FINAL SCORE WITHAM GALACTICOS 4 PANFIELD BELL 1
It was a game of 2 halfs, the first being a copy of our first game were we showed great resilience and strength and the 2nd half being what the Galacticos are good and thats playing free flowing attacking football. Its a great start to the season for us remaining unbeaten and showing what we have learnt from pre season. Its clear that the spirit within the side is strong and the strength of the whole squad was tested in the past 2 weeks. Notable performances again from Cannock who pulled off some great saves and his handling throughout was superb, Murphy again showed his defensive qualities and new signings Jackson and Johnson were again superb. Man of the match award this week was clearly Jamie Panting who scored 1 and created 2, his work rate was fantastic and he was a handful for the whole game so congratulations to him. Next week another big game against undefeated Bocking Social
