1st team - Match centre

Witham Town
Canvey Island
la 30 maalis 15:00 - The Bostik Football League - North Division Full time Attendance 94

town sucked into relegation battle

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after a dramatic last-minute winning goal

MATCH REPORT - Witham Town 0 Canvey Island 1
Witham Town slumped to their eighth defeat in the last ten games after Canvey Island snatched a dramatic last-minute winning goal. It was a disappointing result and performance against another side in poor form.
The Gulls looked the livelier side in the early stages. The muscular Adam Vyse almost drew first blood for the visitors when his shot flashed across the goalmouth. Canvey Island’s physical approach was making it difficult for Witham. Pat Ahern was felled by a hefty challenge from Kane Gilbert that resulted in a long stoppage period and a yellow card to the errant visitor.
It was largely a battle of attrition in the first half-hour with little quality on offer. Jack Kemsley shot wide from the edge of the penalty area and Johnny Ashman went on two promising runs, but these were isolated highlights for the home side. Both teams were careless with possession. Canvey’s muscular style continued and Ahern had to be substituted following an elbow to the cheekbone.
As half-time approached, the visitors came closest to scoring with a dangerous run down the right by the menacing Vyse. Only an outstanding diving save by Luca Collins prevented Canvey going in a goal up at the break.
The send half proved more eventful that the first. Vyse was a real handful and after he released Ryan Melaugh with a good pass. His goalbound header from the subsequent cross was blocked on the goal line by Jack Lelliott. At the other end, Luke Foster exchanged passes with Lelliott and his shot on target for Witham was saved by Harry Palmer.
Canvey gradually took control of the game and began to find space in possession. Witham were defending deep and finding it difficult to build an attack due to an increasing gap between midfield and the forwards. The game was played largely in Witham’s half as the visitors pressed forward. Too often the home side lacked composure under pressure and wasted possession. Clearances from defence continually gave the ball back to Canvey and invited another attack.
Canvey went close when Collins pushed the ball over the bar and saved a header from Zack Littlejohn from the subsequent corner.
The best chance so far for either side fell to Chinedu Vine for Witham. A clever pass by substitute Jayke Welch found Vine in space in the penalty area. The striker’s lob beat Palmer but hit the crossbar and the ball was cleared.
Welch in his first Witham appearance was showing impressive touches and Lelliott was having probably his best game for Witham but the home side were looking increasingly static as they struggled to contain the Gulls’ passing and movement. Canvey’s Frankie Merrifield twice missed the target from good positions and Sam Dulieu missed a glorious chance when he headed over from close range. At the other end Louie Hunt headed over the bar from an excellent Ashman pass.
With the final whistle fast approaching, an unconvincing victory for Witham suddenly looked almost certain when they were awarded a penalty after a cross from Ashman was handled. Ashman took the kick himself, but ex-Witham stalwart Palmer dived to his right to push the ball away.
There was still time for more drama and within three minutes, Witham captain Sam Owusu headed off the goal line at the other end. Witham’s relief was short-lived however, as two minutes later, a low header from Littlejohn entered the net inside the left post to win the game for Canvey. The final whistle sounded almost immediately afterwards to leave the Witham side in shock as they face a crucial encounter away to Romford.

Highlights

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89:00 Missed Penalty
Johnny Ashman misses a penalty for Witham Town
66:00 Sub Off
John Watson is substituted off for Witham Town
66:00 Sub Off
jayke welch is substituted off for Witham Town
End of period 1
29:00 Sub On
cameron harris is substituted on for Witham Town
29:00 Sub Off
Patrick Ahern is substituted off for Witham Town
Start of the game
Replay game

As it happened

  • Witham Town
  • Canvey Island
  • 0
  • cameron harris Sub On 29:00'
  • Patrick Ahern Sub Off 29:00'
  • John Watson Sub Off 66:00'
  • jayke welch Sub Off 66:00'
  • Johnny Ashman Missed Penalty 89:00'

Team selection

Collins, Luca Collins, Luca
odelusi, siju odelusi, siju
kemsley, jack kemsley, jack
foster, luke foster, luke
Ahern, Patrick Ahern, Patrick
coyle, kevin coyle, kevin
Ashman, Johnny Ashman, Johnny
Lelliott, jack Lelliott, jack
Owusu, Sam Owusu, Sam
vine, chinedu vine, chinedu
Watson, John Watson, John
Witham Town
  • 1. Luca Collins
  • 2. siju odelusi
  • 3. jack kemsley
  • 4. Patrick Ahern
  • 5. kevin coyle
  • 6. Johnny Ashman
  • 7. John Watson
  • 8. jack Lelliott
  • 9. luke foster
  • 10. Sam Owusu
  • 11. chinedu vine
  • 12. Fergal Looney
  • 13. louie hunt
  • 14. teddy rumsey
  • 15. cameron harris
  • 16. jayke welch

League round up

Other North Division results

Barking
0
2
Brentwood Town
2
2
Mildenhall Town
Dereham Town
3
0
2
2
Coggeshall Town
Heybridge Swifts
3
1
0
1
Bowers & Pitsea

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League table

# Team Pl Pts
14. Dereham Town 38 44
15. Great Wakering Rovers 38 41
16. Soham Town Rangers 38 40
17. Basildon United 38 39
18. Witham Town 38 34
19. Romford 38 34
20. Mildenhall Town 38 27

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