Witham left ruing missed chances as winless run is extended to five games

Ryman League division north

Witham Town were left ruing missed chances as their run without a win was extended to five games.

Having enjoyed far better of their Ryman League division north game against Dereham for the first 70 minutes, Witham were hit by two sucker punches and struggled to make an impact in the latter stages.

The hosts started brightly with swift movement down the flanks that pulled the Dereham defence around and created early chances.

One opening fell to Tim Monsheju and he was only marginally off target, while good work by Nathan Korentang ended with the ball falling invitingly in the area but the visitors scrambled it clear before a telling touch could be made.

At the other end, Dereham strived to create, but weren’t able to really test Lewis Snelgrove in the home goal and it was little surprise that the deadlock was broken by the hosts.

The first goal came in the 23rd minute after Koranteng had been fouled about 35 yards out.

It allowed Elliott Ronto to swing a lovely free-kick into a crowded penalty area and the ball was headed powerfully home by Lance Akins.

Witham were well on top now and played with a confidence that created more chances before the break.

Ronto went for goal with his next free-kick within sight of goal in the 28th minute and while he got the ball up and over the wall with a pacey delivery, it was inches past the post.

Scott Kemp then tried his luck with a curling effort from the edge of the area that also just whistled past the upright as it stayed 1-0 to Witham at the break.

The pattern of play was largely similar after the restart, with the hosts creating the better of the openings and only a superb reflex save from Dereham keeper Will Viner denied Monsheju from doubling the lead.

The 68th minute then saw Witham hit the post as Ronto rattled the upright as they capitalised on a mistake at the back from the visitors.

So it came as a bit of a sucker punch when Witham conceded in the 70th minute.

For all their chances, the hosts were caught out when they failed to clear their lines and Dereham’s James Grant fired the ball in from close range.

And a buoyant Dereham were soon ahead as just two minutes later, they got a second when Ryan Crisp fired them into the lead.

The two goals clearly rocked Witham and their confidence seemed to dessert them as they struggled to impact the game in the same manner.

Viner made one good save from Koranteng, but Witham were left to rue not making more of their chances in the earlier part of the game.

Witham Town: Lewis Snelgrove, Damien Green (John Watson 85), James Regis, Max Bradford (Jamie Moore 90), Lance Akins, Pat Ahern, Nathan Koranteng, Michael Osei (Ryan Charles 75), Tim Monsheju, Eliot Ronto, Scot Kemp.

Subs not used: Lewis Payne, Ryan Miles.