Witham hosted local rivals Witham United in the Charlie Turnball Cup. The game at Bramston was called off but we arranged a pitch in Braintree, due to time restrictions it would be 40 minutes each way and if the game was tied at the end it would go straight to penalties. Murphy returned from injury to replace the injured Whipps and Johnson come back into the squad.
A heavy and strong wind faced both teams and Witham United elected to go with the wind in the first half. Galcticos had a good 10 minute spell early in the half with Yeo seeing alot of the ball high up the pitch but there wasnt alot of clear openings for him to create any real clear cut chances. United had the strongest of the half with 3 very good chances that were all saved well by Cannock including a point blank one from 6 yards. Galacticos were valiant in defence pinned in there half with the strong wind but stood firm especially Ahern who again put in another strong performance throughout. On the brink of half time Utd had strong penalty claims turned away by the ref when Callum was brought down by Stoneham.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 0 WITHAM UNITED 0
Galacticos were brighter in the second half and this time had the wind. Johnson come on for Painting and was looking for the runs of Yeo and Lawes in behind. Lawes had a shot well saved early on and looked destined to score 10 minutes later but for the linesman's flag. United were still dangerous with some good build up play but struggled in the final third to create anything clear cut. With time running out Galacticos had 2 good chances to win the game firstly Johnson who broke free down the right and cut in at goal he let fly from just inside the box but his shot went agonisingly wide and Jackson had a good chance from 6 yards but his header was saved. Callum nearly nicked the game in the last minute but his shot hit the bar and went off.
FINAL SCORE WITHAM GALACTICOS 0 WITHAM UNITED 0
The game went to penalties and Humphry had his well saved, Utd converted. Lawes then scored and Cannock saved well to make it 1-1. Yeo converted the third and Utd followed 2-2. Johnson then put his penalty wide but that was also followed by Utd still 2-2. Stoneham then finished well as did Utd 3-3 and sudden death. Jackson the missed his penalty but United also missed there chance to win the game. Orr then finished well but also did Utd making it 4-4. Ahern then missed the 8th kick and Utd finished putting them into the quarter finals and a 5-4 win on spot kicks.
It wasnt a nice way to be eliminated from the cup but on the balance of play and the conditions one team was always going to nick it. We showed superb battling abilities in the first half to come in without conceding especially when our opponents had the better half but come out strong in the second half and had chances of our own to win the game. There is no shame losing to a good and strong opposition on penalties when the game was evenly played. Ahern again put in a very good performance again at the back but Cannock was picked to be man of the match with 4 or 5 superb saves especially in the first half. Cup quarter final next against Bocking next lets bring our A game : )
