Second half goals get Witham back to winning ways in the league

Ryman League premier division

Two goals in the second half saw Witham Town return to winning ways in the Ryman League premier division as they won their Essex derby against East Thurrock United.

Hosts Witham had lost their previous two league outings after failing to take their chances in front of goal but there was no repeat this time as they won 2-0.

Having had their previous two games postponed and then FA Cup action before that, this was the first game for Witham in two weeks.

They had been due to host Kingstonian at the Village Glass Stadium on Saturday but torrential rainfall left the pitch flooded and Witham without a game.

Considering the amount of water that was on the pitch at the weekend, it looked in remarkably good condition.

Both sides looked to make use of the good surface and it was an entertainingly open game and fairly even, but clear-cut scoring opportunities remained rare before the break.

That changed in the second half, though, after Witham had made two substitutions and their two new additions combined to open the scoring The breakthrough came in the 61st minute with a throw-in by James Stevens that was flicked on and his fellow substitute Kurt Smith headed in from close range.

It gave Witham a platform to build from and they took control of the game from a wonder goal that followed ten minutes later.

Stevens again started it with a sweeping ball out wide to Conor Mead, who charged past the covering Thurrock defender before whipping in a lovely cross for Tom Wraight to flick in.

Thurrock pushed hard for a way back into the game and home keeper Martyn Guest had to be at his best on more than one occasion to keep them at bay, particularly from a stinging free-kick by Simon Peddie.

There was one late chance for Thurrock as they were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute but Sam Higgins blasted it high and wide as Witham kept their clean sheet intact.