Witham's big day arrived against table toppers and local rivals Valley Green in the Malcom Foy Semi Final. Witham still had Adam Ratcliffe on the sidelines with an injury.
Witham set out quickly as instructed pressing the ball and pinning there opponents in there own half. Stoneham and Orr both had shots from distance but the deadlock was broke on 6 minutes, Stoneham delivered a superb cross that was met by the powerful head of Murphy who made no mistake from 8 yards. Witham continued with plenty of enthusiasm and superb work rate with McCormack, Stoneham and Orr working there socks off giving the Valley defence no time at all. Yeo, Lawes and Vicarage were similar completely dominating the midfield both in the air and on the floor. On 19 minutes it was the impressive McCormack who scored against his old club with an exquisite lob from 18 yards after a superb defence splitting ball from Lawes. Witham continued to press hard with McCormack causing all sorts of problems down the left. Stoneham was also having a lot of joy down the right and midway through the half he delivered another superb ball that was met by Lawes on the volley that missed the post by inches. Lawes and Yeo were still dominating and finding plenty of space and continued to drive at the heart of the Valley Greens defence. Orr who was troublesome throughout nearly got on the scoresheet but couldnt quite connect in the 18 yard box. The away team tried desperately to get a goal back before half time but both Humphreys and Adams made superb blocks and Murphy, Clark and Cannock were superb in keeping the back four organised and prevent any dangerous chances.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 2 VALLEY GREEN 0
The second half began and Valley tried desperately as expected to get back into the game early and kept the ball in Withams half but just as the first half ended Witham's defence stood firm with Cannock coming out to claim two dangerous balls with safe hands. On 51 minutes the home side got the all important third goal. Stoneham collected the ball on the half way line out on the right and picked out Orr superbly with a crossfield ball, Orr took a superb touch and drove at goal, as he reached the 18 yard box and with the keeper rushing out he coolly chipped the ball over him in to the net (I dont know what was better the finish or Kano's celebration). On 60 minutes sadly the game turned sour as Stoneham went into a challenge and without getting into too much detail he broke his leg. The game was delayed for an hour but the Galacticos kept by his side with words of encouragement and support aswell as a couple of the oppositions players who also were great throughout. It was notable that alot of the players were truly hurt especially the Galacticos who had to watch on as there teammate and friend was clearly in alot of pain but credit to Stoneham he was brave throughout just as he is on the pitch and even showed all the players his usual witty charm with a kiss for them all and words of encouragement to see out the game. All our thoughts are with Jack and I know the boys all truly agree that his presence this year alone has had a massive impact on everyone...get well soon Jack couldnt of done it without you x
The game eventually got back underway (despite the opposition's objections) and Witham put in a superb performance in the final half hour, clearly with Jack in mind. Orr got his second of the game and Witham's fourth just after the hour mark when he cut across the defender to blast home after superb work by Lawes down the left. 8 Minutes later it was Yeo's turn to get on the scoresheet when he run down a ball that looked a lost cause and beat the defender to it and then coolly slotted home. Cullum as ever was impressive when he come on and was key to some well worked football that released McCormack down the left but he was wrongly flagged offside. Lawes was creating chance after chance nearly got on the scoresheet soon after but his shot cannoned off the crossbar and again he was thwarted after Valleys keeper made a superb point blank save. McCormack then got his second of the game and Withams 6th when Lawes played him in and McCormack cut across his defender and brilliantly dinked the ball over the on rushing keeper. It wasnt finished there it was the turn of Witham's top goalscorer Orr who made it 7-0, 30 goals for the season and another hat trick for him when he tapped home after Lawes showed superb speed to get round the full back and cross the ball in.
A truly remarkable day in both a good and a bad way. Firstly Jack who suffered a terrible injury and credit to him showing remarkable courage in his long wait for the emergency services. He also showed great dedication by encouraging the whole team while he lay there with his leg shattered...Jack I speak for all the boys in saying your a hero in all our eyes and not just a teammate but a friend.
The performance from everyone was superb, we didnt put a foot wrong and pressured our opponents from the start to the end. The football was superb, the dedication couldnt have been better and the communIcation was the best its been. The defence was excellent and didnt let there opponents in once, the midfield showed strength in all aspects of there game by being creative, solid, energetic and challenged every single ball in the air even against towering opposition. The attackers worked hard in pressing the ball and didnt let the Valley's defence have anytime at all and showed great movement and finishing to round up an overall sensational team performance. Man of the match was so difficult to pick and on any other day every single player could have won it with there performance today but Ryan McCormack is picked, he was unplayable today scoring 2 superb goals and was energetic and fantastic when in possession...well done Rhino. Our run in this competition hasn't been easy, we have defeated the potential league winners of Division 3 (Kelvedon), potential league winners of Division 2 (Valley) and a strong Division 1 side (Shalford) on route to the final and we now have another cup final to look forward to at Braintree Town defending OUR trophy. Well done boys you were ALL awesome!
