VICKERS KEEP THE GOOD RUN GOING

The Vickers kept up their recent run of good form with a share of the points at Witham Town, on a day largely spoilt by the conditions. The recent heavy rain had left the pitch soft and, coupled with a strong crosswind it made it difficult for both sides, but despite this there was some decent football on show for the supporters that braved the elements. With the wind at their advantage, Witham were quickly on the attack and nearly went ahead in the opening minutes when Daniel Emmanuel’s free kick came back off the angle before being cleared, after which Jamie Guy missed a chance when firing over the top when well placed. VCD had their chances too with Leigh Bremner, Michael Power and Lea Dawson all going close before Lewis Tozer headed just over from Nick Reeves’ free kick. The hosts almost opened the scoring again when a free kick was only half cleared as far as Lewis Dark who sent a stinging drive goal-wards, but a superb reaction save from Nick Blue turned the ball onto the bar and away to safety. For VCD, Mikhail Kennedy was causing problems with his pace, and after being brought down sent a free kick inches over the angle with keeper Martyn Guest stranded. The game was quite open with both sides attacking, but when the ball was lost in midfield Town were quick to capitalise and take the lead. The loose ball was played down the right and when it was played in deep, Ryan Charles collected the ball and advanced into the area, and as Nick Blue came off his line he sidestepped the keeper before firing low into the bottom corner. The Vickers responded well with Guest saving smartly from Power’s header, and then shortly after he denied Lea Dawson with a top class save. Orlando Smith was bundled over just outside the area, and Dawson’s free-kick was arrowing towards the top corner when Guest got across to turn the ball over from under the angle.
Against the wind in the second half, Witham were pegged deep in their own half as VCD enjoyed the greater possession which enabled them to keep the pressure on, but Town were dangerous on the break and the VCD defence had to remain alert. Ryan Charles got through but was denied by a fine block from Tozer, and when the ball broke to Jamie Guy, Blue was quickly across to turn the ball over. When Orlando Smith went on a mazy run he made ground into the area, but with just Guest to beat the ball took a wicked bounce off the turf and he was unable to keep his shot on target, then Dawson won the ball on the right, freeing Taylor McDonagh where, from his cross in Leigh Bremner headed just wide. The Vickers had the ball in the net shortly after when Guest spilled Power’s low shot and Bremner tucked the ball home, but he was ruled marginally offside, and as the pressure was maintained Elliott Cox threaded the ball through to Karl Dent, who went past two defenders before firing into the side netting from a tight angle. With the clock ticking down it looked as though Witham would be able to hold on to their lead, but from a Town goal kick the ball was returned where it was collected by Aaron Jeffery, who made ground into the box before going past a defender and sending a fine left foot strike into the top corner past keeper Guest. Nick Reeves then went close when side-footing Kennedy’s free kick just over, before at the other end Witham missed a great chance to take the points. A last minute break caught out the VCD back-line with Daniel Emmanuel running clear, but Nick Blue was quickly off his line forcing him wide from where he skewed his shot across the empty goal. All things considered a fair result under the conditions.

VCD Athletic: Blue, McDonagh, Cox, Reeves, Tozer, Dawson, Roberts (Jeffery 72), Kennedy, Power (Dent 72), Bremner, O Smith (Duckworth 72)

Substitutes not used: Perkins, Penfold

Attendance: 95