Witham Town claim big win at Great Wakering Rovers

WITHAM Town’s impressive start to the Pitching In Isthmian League division north season continued with a very convincing 4-0 win at Great Wakering, writes JIM PURTILL.

It was a comprehensive victory in which Town showed fluid team work, a cutting edge in attack and overall organisation.

The hosts looked more threatening in the first ten minutes.

James White shot wide from the right for Great Wakering after five minutes while Witham goalkeeper Rhys Madden denied Callum Fitzer with his legs.
But Witham took the lead after 13 minutes.

The second of two good corners from Witham’s Liam Whipps resulted in Adam Vyse powerfully heading home.

Witham quickly established a dominance that they maintained for the rest of the match.

Ramiah Mills came close to extending Town's lead when he picked up the ball just inside the Great Wakering half and his powerful run ended with a fierce shot that Harry Fairs did well to save.

Corners from Whipps and long throws by Mills were causing a lot of trouble for the hosts.

A Whipps corner after 39 minutes was met by Lewis Payne, whose shot was not far off target.

Great Wakering had their share of possession but found it hard to build any attacking moves.

They frequently hit long balls from the back but that made life easy for Witham, particularly as the wind reduced the accuracy of long passes.

After 45 minutes Munashe Mharapara had a good run in midfield for Witham and fed Mills, whose shot wide went wide.

Witham were having all the best attacking play as half-time approached and the inevitable second goal came in the 45th minute from a Mills throw.

A Vyse shot hit the crossbar and Robinson Wokoma was in the right place to score his first Town goal, from the rebound.

The pattern of the match changed as the second half began.

Witham were comfortably on top and they played in a less expansive style to preserve their lead and negate any threat from the hosts.
Former Great Wakering captain Vyse excelled in a more withdrawn role behind Mills and the hard-working Kieran Southgate.
There were fewer chances to either side as Witham’s game management effectively frustrated Great Wakering’s attacks.

Lewis Payne was very effective in front of the Witham defence and the visitors had quality in all positions.

Great Wakering will trouble some sides this season but they lacked the guile to overcome the organisation and industry of their opponents.

The Witham back four have consistently looked comfortable this season and the composure and assurance of new recruits Wokoma and Joseph Alatise were augmented by the hard work of Whipps and Luke Ige.

As the match entered its final quarter, the hosts had a brief period where they threatened to pull a goal back.

Madden saved well from Alexander Fernandez and Kewin Kwiek shot wildly over the bar when he should have done better.

Whipps' excellent cross provided a chance for Southgate who almost scored minutes later when his shot was cleared from the goalmouth.

But Witham scored their third goal when determination by substitute Shakeel Morris led to Mills opening his account.

Madden made an impressive low save just before magnificent centre-forward play by Vyse claimed the final goal.

A determined run and fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area rounded off a memorable Witham performance and their first away league victory by a four-goal margin since January 2017.

Witham host Ware at the Simarco Stadium in the Izusu FA Trophy, on Saturday.