WITHAM Town’s FA Cup campaign ended in the second qualifying round after two second-half goals secured St Albans City a 3-0 win.
The FA Cup second qualifying-round tie took place on Saturday, September 19 at Spa Road in Witham.
St Albans City won 3-0, with Fletcher opening the scoring before Effiong and Gray struck in the second half.
The Isthmian Premier Division visitors made an early breakthrough after only three minutes.
A corner from the left was met by Fletcher, whose header lacked clean contact but bounced up and into the top corner of the net.
The hosts responded positively despite facing opponents from a higher level and appeared to have equalised in the 18th minute.
Quick passing around the St Albans penalty area freed Jordan Elongo, who slotted past the goalkeeper.
But the assistant referee’s offside flag cut the celebrations short.
Witham threatened again after 30 minutes when Sam Bantick hit the woodwork from Whipps’s cross.
Another offside call denied the hosts a second potential equaliser.
At the other end, St Albans continued to pose a threat as the first half progressed.
Witham goalkeeper Blunkell made a strong save to deny Effiong and turned the shot behind for a corner.
Turner then headed wide from a promising position.
The hosts had their clearest chance just before half-time when Bell’s footwork created space in the area.
The ball fell to Bantick, who could only poke it over the bar under pressure.
Both sides continued to compete evenly after the break, with chances coming sporadically.
A fierce effort from the visitors flashed wide, leaving Blunkell rooted to the spot.
Witham nearly hit back when Olly Bell flicked a corner narrowly wide.
The tension rose until St Albans found the breakthrough in the 71st minute.
Effiong turned in a left-sided throw-in to put St Albans 2-0 up.
Gray struck again from close range two minutes later to make it 3-0.
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The quickfire goals ended Witham’s hopes of a comeback and completed St Albans’s 3-0 win.
The 3-0 scoreline flattered St Albans, with Witham competing for long periods.
The defeat ends Witham’s FA Cup campaign.
Witham host Wroxham in the league on Saturday, September 26, with kick-off at 3pm.
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