After our triumphant season last year we joined the big boy league and to make it more tastier we entertained last years undefeated premier league winners and cup champions. After a busy pre season we scouted new boys Chris Long, Tony Wilkenson, Reece Codd, Jack Morter and Lee Johnson to the family :)
After Dazza and the gaffa eventually found some pegs and corner flags the game got underway and straight away Western showed their physical presence with some strong challenges. Witham showed there character and stood up to the challenge with notably Murphy, Long and Harry Stoneham putting in some big tackles of there own. Witham started well with Harry Stoneham and Panting trying there luck from distance and minutes later Yeo went close after some good link up play with Lawes. Cannock was called in to action on 12 minutes when he made a good save with his feet. On 20 minutes Witham took the lead when Yeo's crossfield pass found Panting on the right, he cut inside the full back and let fly from 20 yards into the top right hand corner of the net. Western reacted and swapped some personnel around and began to put pressure on Galacticos goal but Cannock was on hand twice to make strong saves. Harry Stoneham and Long were feeling the pressure in the middle of the park but showed real resilience to make some great tackles and protect the back four. On 27 minutes it was almost 1-1 as the western striker went one on one but this time the post came to the rescue. 3 minutes later the scores were level when the same striker this time went through on goal and slotted the ball home, even though the offside flag was raised the ref decided to overall and give the goal. Western's direct approach was a constant bombardment on Witham's goal and they nearly scored from a corner had it none been for Jacksons superb diving effort on the line to clear the ball away to safety. Witham's defence undeservedly broke on 43 minutes when they broke away from a corner and scored to make it 2-1. On the stroke of half time it was nearly 3 had it none been for Adams superb interception.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 1 WESTERN ARMS 2
Witham kicked off and started with some good play between Adams, Harry Stoneham and Panting but the attempt at goal just went wide. A minute later Western extended there lead after some good football to make it 3-1. Galacticos introduced new boys Codd and Johnson and there intensity upped our game, Panting was a constant threat down the right and in the space of 2 minutes his tricky and skill created 2 good chances from the right. On 57 minutes the game was back on when debutant Johnson finished well from 8 yards after Yeo's cut back on the right. Western knew they now had a game on there hands and on the hour mark broke free down the left but Harry Stoneham made a superb sliding challenge just inside the box to see out any threat. Johnson's presence was felt and after a big tackle in the midfield his through ball to Yeo was just cut out with Yeo ready to pounce. On 69 minutes it was dead level when Panting who was causing the right back problems all day beat his man down the right and played a dangerous ball across the 6 yard box that was right inbetween goalkeeper and defender and as they both went for it the keeper pushed it again his own player and the ball creped in. Western again played very direct but the centre back partnership of Humphry and Murphy put everything on the line to keep the scores level. Long was also having a strong game in the middle and was now able to pick up more second balls and dictate play, his defence splitting pass nearly put in Wilkenson but the keeper was quick to get off his line. With 2 minutes remaining Withams hopes of a great result was dashed when Western scored with a stroke of luck, Jackson made a superb tackle on the left but the ball ricochet off the winger in to the path of the striker in the box and he was able to tap home. Witham tried to push for an equaliser and won a corner in injury time but it was comfortably cleared and the ref blew up.
FINAL SCORE WITHAM GALCTICOS 3 WESTERN ARMS 4
Gutting to lose at the death but after they way pre season went and the quality of our opponents it didnt feel like a defeat. We gained something today and that was we deserve to be playing at the top and showed we are on par with these good sides. Every player today participated in our strong performance and showed that we have great quality, strength and desire within the squad. The new boys fitted straight in today, I thought Longy, Codd, Wilkenson and Johnson all had good games which is great to see as we have added quality players to an already quality team. Panting decided to turn up today and for the majority of the match he was unplayable lets hope we see more of that from him and I thought the partnership of Humphry and Murphy were superb all game considering the ability of the strikers they were dealing with. Man of the match goes to Harry Stoneham his performance in the middle of the park and in defence was fantastic, he showed great strength in every tackle and made the champions feel like they had there most difficult game in years today :)
Keep up this intensity and performance guys and we will be a strong force this year, next up local rivals Valley Green who i've heard have signed our lino from last year?!
