A JAMES Robinson inspired Witham Town ran out comfortable winners in the FA Cup at Bowers & Pitsea this afternoon.

Robinson scored a hat-trick and created the other to send Witham through to the second qualifying round at the expense of Rob Small Essex Senior League team.

The Ryman Premier League team started brightly and created the first chance of the afternoon. A cross from a deep position was towards James Robinson but his header went harmlessly over the crossbar.

Bowers, who were unbeaten in ten matches before this game, were holding their shape well and when Ashley Wackers-Kyriacou broke through Bowers looked likely to break the deadlock but he was unable to get his shot away when in the penalty area.

Witham were slowly clicking into gear and Garry Kimble’s side took the lead with 25 minutes played. Some neat work on the edge of the box saw Robinson played through and, despite loud calls for offside, he finished underneath Sean Hinton.

Bowers responded and would have equalised but for the acrobatics of Town keeper Martyn Guest. An in-swinging free-kick from Jamie Salmon found the stretching Luke Wilson at the far post and his header was tipped over at full stretch.

But that was as good as it got for Rob Small’s team in the first half. With half-an-hour played Jamie Salmon went down with an injury but Bowers didn’t put the ball out of play and were made to regret it. Robinson was played through after getting the wrong side of Frank Everett and he went down under the challenge of the defender. Everett was set off and James Stevens netted from the spot.

Witham added a third before the break and it was Robinson who was again the scorer, stooping to head in Ryan Charles’ cross.

It was more of the same after the break, with only a sprawling save from Hinton denying Robison his hat-trick but he did score his third ten minutes into the second half. A neat through ball from Tom Wraight found Robinson and he slotted home with ease.

A contentious red card for Bowers’ Dan Brown followed – seemingly for something he said.

Hinton saved from Dan Emmanuel and denied Robinson bravely at the death, consequently suffering a concussion, to keep the score 4-0 and move Witham through the next qualifying round.

Bowers & Pitsea: Hinton, Pethers, Marron, Wilson, Brown, Everett, Hine, Salmon, Simon-Parson, Wackers-Kyriacou, Russell

OTHER RESULTS

Conference South: Concord Rangers 4-2 Wealdstone

Ryman North: Ware 3–2 Great Wakering Rovers

FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round: Hertford Town 1–4 Canvey Island, Billericay Town 4–0 Hadleigh United, AFC Hornchurch 1–1 East Thurrock United