Witham Galacticos entertained last years Malcom Foy runners up TK Eagles in a league game. Galacticos where happy to have Jamie Lawes, Aaron Williams and Adam Ratcliffe all available for selection again and for the first time this season and had a full squad (near fit!!) to choose from.
The home side started well and immediately took control of the game with Mitchell Yeo and Steve Vicarage showing early signs of dominating the midfield with Jamie Lawes showing some good link up play with McCormack, Ratcliffe and Orr. On 18 minutes Galacticos where 1-0 up, Lawes picked the ball up in the oppositions half who played it to Ratcliffe, Lawes continued his run in behind the TK eagles left back and Ratcliffe played the ball down to Lawes to run onto who squared the ball across to Orr who from 3 yards out slotted the ball home. 9 Minutes later it was 2-0, McCormack played a perfectly weighted ball to Ratcliffe who ran in behind the Eagles back four and directed his shot into the left hand corner, the ball rebounded off the post but Ratcliffe followed up to get his first goal since returning from injury. The home side was now completely in control, Humphry was making some good runs forward creating space for McCormack to run into and with Murphy & Clark dominating the Eagles front 2 the game was there for the taking. On 41 minutes it was 3-0. Murphy intercepted the ball in his own half and drove into the oppositions half, he then delivered a pin point cross to Lawes who headed in from 6 yards. A minute later it was 4-0 and a serious contender for goal of the season. Stone found himself 25 yards out on the left hand side and on the half volley smashed the ball into the top right hand corner of the net to get his first ever goal for the club....a goal that noone will forget!!
Half Time Witham Galacticos 4 TK Eagles 0
The second half was a more disciplined affair with the Galacticos making changes and resting some players who had just returned from injury. The back 4 of Humphry, Clark, Murphy and Stone where in complete control and Cannock sweeping up every loose ball and some great handling from the constant set pieces thrown into the box. The rest of the Galacticos side a where constant threat, Ratcliffe and McCormack both had good chances and where seeing alot of the ball. on 73 minutes it was 5-0. Vicarage delivered a corner that was met by Murphy who rose up from 8 yards to head down at goal, the Eagles keeper made a good save but Murphy was on hand to follow up and blast home a well deserved goal. On 75 minutes Eagles pulled a goal back from a set piece which was unfair on the Galacticos defence who had put in a good shift.
The Galacticos made it 3 wins on the spin with todays game being the best performance of the season. Man of the match was very close between the 2 centre backs with both Murphy and Clark dominating but it was Adam who edged it after coming back from a few poor performances by his own admission.
Next week County Cup : )
