Witham end winless run with League Cup success (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Witham end winless run with League Cup success

11:02am Wednesday 17th October 2012 in Sport

By George Vale

HARLOW TOWN 0 WITHAM TOWN 2
Ryman League Cup round two

Witham Town progressed in the League Cup as they ended a five-game winless run with a victory at Harlow Town.

It was a much-changed Harlow side from the one that had visited Witham and lost 1-0 in September, but it was a very good game.

It was fast-paced throughout and Witham keeper Danny Smabridge was in early action as he made saves from Hector Mackie and Piers Wixon.
 

The visitors also had an early let-off when Scott Pethers headed off the line when a goal had looked certain following one of the many corners they faced.

However, Witham also had their chances, with John Watson shooting just wide and Bertrand Bossu saving well at the foot of the post from a Rob Whitnell shot.

Watson also went close from the resulting penalty.
 

Witham did finally take the lead in the 23rd minute when Sam Taylor scored with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area.

There was still drama at the visitors’ end and Brad Stopher cleared another shot off the line at the other end as Witham were forced to defend, which they did well.

Both teams had chances early after the break, but Witham suffered a blow as Brad Stopher had to leave the game with a knee injury.

Things became more hactic as the game progressed, but Witham were at their best and Watson’s poke at goal was only just wide.

They did extend their advantage in the 82nd minute, though, when a perfectly-flighted ball by Pethers was headed in by Whitnell with the home keeper Bossu clutching at thin air.

Just before the end another long shot from Watson went very close, but Witham were content with a 2-0 win.

Witham: Danny Sambridge, Scott Pethers, Seb Murfet, Bradley Stopher (Jason Fontaine), Tom Devaux, Lewis Godbold, Sam Taylor, Paul White, Rob Whitnell, Billy Hunt, John Watson. Subs not used: Danny Lopez, Danny Emmanuel, James Stevens, Jason Baker. Man-of-the-match: John Watson.