After 5 weeks of no football and 2 attempts at a last 16 county cup game, late on Saturday night we was able to arrange a league game against local rivals Valley Green on the 3g pitch in Tiptree.
Witham were slow out of the block and let Valley dictate the game early on with them attempting a couple of long range efforts within the first 10 minutes. Galacticos where struggling to contain the midfield and long balls up to there target man were a constant threat but Galacticos against the run of play created 2 good chances when Jamie Lawes slipped in Yeo who went in one on one but the aways sides keeper pulled off a good save and it was Yeo again minutes later who pulled the ball wide after a good ball from Orr. On 24 Minutes it was Valley Green who took the lead when a free kick from the right was headed in from 12 yards, 5 minutes later it was 2 -0 and similar to the first goal, a set piece into the box was headed in by the same player to give the away side a 2 goal lead. Galacticos tried to get a foothold in the game when Ratcliffe drove down the left but there was no one in the box to convert and 2 minutes later Yeo lifted the ball nicely over the central defenders head and struck on goal but sadly it went over the bar. Cannock sprung into life on the stroke of half time to pull off a superb save diving down to his left to keep the deficit down to 2 goals at half time.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 0 VALLEY GREEN 2
Witham came out for the second half with a complete different approach, almost immediately they pegged the away side back and pressed higher up the pitch. On 49 minutes Witham came back into the game, Jamie Lawes broke with the ball skipped round the defender and slotted it into the path of Stoneham who calmly placed the ball home. Witham looked a different side, the back four seemed to control the long balls more comfortably and the central partnership of Yeo and Lawes where now finding space to create play, The introduction of McCormack was troubling down the right and Ratcliffe was now finding more space out wide and seeing alot more of the ball. On 56 minutes Stoneham sent the Home team and its supporters into a frenzy when he collected the ball after good work again by Lawes sent him through one on one and he went round the keeper and slotted home to equalise. The game was now more open and Lawes spectacularly nearly scored from 45 yards when the Valleys keeper clearance fell to him and he shot first time but the ball went just over the bar, Stoneham then nearly got his hat trick when he drove into the 18 yard box cut back on his right foot and shot inches wide. Another poor clearance by the Valley keeper fell to Ratcliffe 10 yards out at an acute angle but his clever chip hit the bar and Clark had a headed chance 12 yards out that just went wide of the goal. Valley where still a threat and nearly got a third when Cannock came rushing off his line and was piped to the ball by the away teams winger but his shot hit the outside of the post and minutes later Lawes defensive clearance from a corner was sliced on to his own cross bar but the impressive Adams was on hand to clear. Galacticos nearly nicked the game at the death when Stoneham on the right went clear and shot at goal with Ratcliffe waiting on the edge of the 6 yard box.
FULL TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 2 VALLEY GREEN 2
It was a satisfying result considering the score at half time. It was a game of 2 halfs and we showed real character and determination to get back into the game and were unlucky not to steal the win. Some very good performances mainly in the second half that deserve a mention. Jamie Adams again at full back had a superb game and I think the oppositions winger was still in his pocket after the game in the car park :-), Jack Stoneham after moving up top in the second half gave the Valley defenders alot of trouble and with 2 well taken goals (we wont talk about the one that ratty was screaming for on the edge of the box!) McCormack who proved a real point when he came on and worked tirelessly down the right and showed a real good attitude to come on and try and change the game and the man of the match Jamie Lawes who once switched to the midfield was the orchestrator of both goals and a constant threat and provider in there. We welcome new signing Marti to the team who lasted 10 minutes on Sunday and picked up an injury immediately :-) but is a very good signing and we welcome back Aaron to the squad which also gives us alot more strength and pace. Hopefully guys the weather is better and we can go and win our last 16 county game next Sunday.
