WITHAM Town’s season began with an Emirates FA Cup victory after beating Woodford Town 3-2, writes JIM PURTILL.

It was an entertaining encounter that was settled by a late goal from Jack Nolde.

In the first competitive appearance for the first team at the Simarco Stadium since October last year, the newly-assembled Witham side made a positive start and looked impressive going forward in the early stages.

A’maree Robinson-Jones was outstanding on the left wing and he provided impressive support to the strikers.

Witham controlled the midfield and continually streamed forward.

Woodford goalkeeper Lee Haylock was tested by Hornsley and Search before Witham took a 17th-minute lead.

An excellent run by Robinson-Jones resulted in his shot being turned over the bar by Haylock.

From the resulting corner, Luke Ige powerfully headed the home side into a deserved lead.

At this point, Woodford had not launched a single attack of note and goalkeeper Rhys Madden had been virtually a spectator.

It came as a major shock nine minutes later when Woodford equalised after a defensive mix-up.

Witham captain Billy Willis seemed to be shepherding a wayward shot towards towards Madden and expected the custodian to gather it.

Both players left it to each other and in the ensuing confusion, Luke McElroy pounced to level the scores.

It was an unexpected setback and the home side looked less assured as they struggled to re-impose their earlier dominance in the second quarter of the match.

It became a more even contest with Witham looking marginally superior without being able to summon up the quality to put themselves in front.

The second half was a different proposition with the away side looking hungrier.

They took the game to Witham and grew in confidence as they put the home defence under pressure.

Witham had a scare when a shot from the impressive Richard Asamoah went narrowly wide before Woodford took the lead in the 55th minute.

It was another surprising effort as a cross-shot from the right by Asamoah deceived Madden and nestled in the net just inside the far post.

Witham’s response was at first a little laboured but they began to find their fluidity with a series of attacks on the right.

The pace and trickery of the aggressive Jamahl Godward was proving very dangerous and the Woodford defence struggled to keep him in check.

He created two opportunities for Search and narrowly failed to score when he shot over the bar from a cross from the left.

At the other end, a shot from Asamoah hit the bar, but Witham were looking more likely to score.

Witham's equaliser came in the 72nd minute when Godward's incisive run ended when he was brought down in the penalty area and Search despatched the spot-kick.

Billy Willis's cross was almost converted by Search as Witham tried to find a winner and the hosts found a breakthrough with an 82nd minute goal by left-back Jack Nolde.

Witham manager Marc Benterman will be happy with a winning start at home.

On this showing, the side are at their best when going forward. Godward and Robinson-Jones are wingers with pace who like to run at the opposition and can deliver good crosses.

Search and Hornsley looked impressive in a side not short of attacking options, Ige was obdurate at the back and there were other solid performances.

Witham visit Stowmarket Town in the preliminary round on August 21 but will first travel to Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday, in their Pitching In Isthmian League division north opener.