Witham Town are beaten at Aveley

WITHAM Town lost 4-2 at a strong Aveley side in Pitching In Isthmian League division north despite a battling performance by the visitors, writes JIM PURTILL.

Ultimately the gap in quality between the two squads proved too great for Town on the day.

But Witham interim boss Chris Taylor would be entitled to draw positives from the way his side competed at a venue where few visiting teams will pick up points.

Town's line-up was weakened by the absence of A’maree Robinson-Jones and Rokas Janilionis.
And the visitors suffered an additional significant blow when Callum Matthews was injured before the kick-off and was unable to start.

Promotion-chasing Aveley started well and Alex Akrofi's effort hit a post for the hosts when a goal looked certain.
Witham on the break, Adam Vyse's fierce ninth-minute shot was saved by David Hughes.

However, Witham fell behind two minutes later when a corner from Benton was converted by Harry Gibbs.

Oscar Shelvey-Negus was prominent in midfield for the Millers and Benton was a menace on the left as he probed for gaps in the Witham defence.

When the visitors attacked, Vyse proved an effective target man with Suaibo Balde and Flavio Jumo providing useful support.

Witham seemed to lack a cutting edge but equalised when Balde lost his marker and finished with composure in the 35th minute.

Equality at the halfway stage would have given Witham a platform for the second half but it was not to be.

The defining period of the game arrived in a two-minute spell just before half-time when Aveley scored twice.

A penalty was awarded after Manny Ogunrinde was fouled by Vyse and Akrofi scored from the spot.

Benton added another when he reached a cross from the right to score.

Going into the break two goals down was a disappointing and harsh outcome for the visitors but a side with Aveley’s attacking qualities are always capable of scoring.
Boss Taylor would have been aware of the scale of the task that awaited his side in the second half against an Aveley side high on confidence.
To their credit, the visitors matched the home side in the worsening weather conditions.

The game stretched and there was attacking endeavour from both sides.

Akrofi hit the bar with a shot in the 52nd minute and on the hour mark Witham came close to scoring from a corner when the ball was deflected behind John Abebiyi and Vyse.

A perfectly-executed overhead kick from Kye Jude was brilliantly saved by Hughes before Witham did score when Adebiyi beat Hughes from corner, to give the visitors hope.

But Aveley sealed victory in the 69th minute when George Sykes' shot was deflected past Madden.

Witham finished looking a lot more fluid with greater control and added tenacity.