WITHAM Town began their season with a convincing 5-0 win against London Colney from the Spartan South Midlands League in the FA Cup extra preliminary round, writes JIM PURTILL.

After taking an early lead Witham were dominant throughout the 90 minutes in a contest where the home side's inability to defend set pieces proved their undoing.

Adam Vyse had been among the goals in Witham's pre-season friendlies and it only took him three minutes to put the visitors ahead with a header at the far post from a Liam Whipps corner.

In the 12th minute, another corner from Whipps was defended with difficulty in the home side’s goalmouth.

The aggression of Vyse and the pace of his strike partner Ramiah Mills were quickly evident as the London Colney defence struggled to contain a wave of attacks.

Mills caused problems whenever he was on the ball.

In the 17th minute he outpaced Bobby Webb on the right and delivered an excellent cross that just failed to reach Vyse in front of goal.

London Colney had their share of possession but found it impossible to unsettle their opponents.

Freddie Newing on the left wing was the conduit for most attacking moves but his efforts were countered by Luke Ige without difficulty.

Liam Whipps on the other flank also defended well.

Gaz Dauti on his Witham debut and the returning Lews Payne operated very effectively in front of the back four and they proved an effective barrier to attacks from the home side.

Robinson Wokoma and Joseph Alatise in the central defensive positions for Witham were untroubled as the visitors looked very assured at the back.

The impressive Dauti began the move that created Witham's second goal in the 30th minute.

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His header from just inside the Witham half found Mills in space.

He wrong-footed Webb and the home defence was exposed as his goalbound shot was parried by Norbert Kesse-Adu in the London Colney goal.

The onrushing Vyse shot fiercely into the net from the rebound to put the visitors two goals ahead.

It had been a dominant first half display from Witham.

The difference in quality became even more evident in the second period.

Almost all the action took place in the London Colney half and Witham looked dangerous throughout.

Kieran Southgate and Vyse were foiled by good saves from Kesse-Adu shortly after the break.

Despite not being on the scoresheet, Mills made a major contribution to the victory with his pace and energy.

His long throws in attacking positions were a source of menace and in the 54th minute, a Mills throw led to Alatise scoring on his Witham debut.

The match was effectively over as a contest at this stage.

There was virtually no attacking threat from the hosts and they found it impossible to cope with non-stop Witham attacks.

Corners from Whipps had caused London Colney problems throughout the match and Vyse completed his hat-trick from one of them in the 69th minute which was a carbon copy of the first goal.

Eight minutes later, Alatise completed the scoring when he headed the fifth goal from yet another Whipps corner.

Rhys Madden enjoyed what must have been his quietest 90 minutes in a Witham shirt.

A late save at the near post to turn the ball away for a corner was his only significant action of the afternoon.

Witham will be away to Brantham Athletic in the preliminary round on August 20.

It was a convincing win by Witham and their best FA Cup result since their record 8-1 victory against Great Yarmouth Town in 2012, but they will face far stronger opposition than London Colney in the Isthmian League this season.

The promoted Wroxham side visit the Simarco Stadium on August 13 after a very impressive season in which they scored more goals and conceded less than any other team in their division.

Three days later, Witham visit AFC Sudbury who will consider themselves promotion material this season.