Witham were again at home and lined up against long term rivals Valley Green.
The game was even in the first 10 minutes with both side winning early corners but it was clear that Valley's strength was in the middle of the park with pace and skill dominating early on. On 15 minutes It was Valley who took the lead when a corner was palmed away by Cannock but it kindly fell at the feet to the striker who blasted home from 8 yards. Witham responded and the game could have been easily even had it not been for a superb double save from the keeper, Stoneham shot from 20 yards which was palmed away but only to Yeo who seemed destined to score but his shot from 9 yards was superbly tipped away. Minutes later Yeo got away down the left and pulled the ball back to Stoneham but he blasted over from 12 yards. On 31 minutes it was level when some good work down the right found Panting whose shot across the box was taped in by Whipps. Shortly after the equaliser Stoneham picked up an injury and was replaced by Vicarage. The game was end to end with Witham looking more creative but Valley gaining the more possession and minutes before half time this possession turned into a goal when the winger beat the Galacticos full back down the left, his cross was met by Cannock but similar to the first goal he could only push it away and it fell to a green shirt who smashed home.
HALF TIME WITHAM GALACTICOS 1 VALLEY GREEN 2
Witham made 2 changes with Orr and Johnson replacing Panting and Jackson. Witham pushed for an equaliser and were gifted one on 50 minutes when Yeo picked up a clearance from a corner 18 yards out and hooked the ball back into the danger area, the keeper looked as if he was going to collect it comfortably but to his despair he dropped it into the back of the net. The lead only lasted 6 minutes when Witham conceded a free kick down the left near the corner flag and the delivery was headed in from 6 yards. Witham pushed on but lacked the final ball, in contrast Valley looked dangerous on every counter attack. On 70 minutes Galacticos won a free kick 20 yards out and just to the left of the corner box, Yeo hit a superb strike that looked goal bound but it hit the inside of the post but Lawes was on hand to tap home and bring the game level again. Stoneham was brought back into the game at the expense of Lawes and the game was now end to end with both teams looking for the win. Witham nearly snatched the lead when Johnson played a superb ball in round the back to Orr who took it early when one on one but his flick went past the post. Then from a deep free kick Valley took the lead when a cross into the box was flicked on 15 yards out and it landed just inside the post. To make matters worse for the home side Humphrey received a red card for a dangerous tackle on the half line with 10 minutes remaining. Valley kept the ball well to run down the clock but Witham nearly snatched an equaliser at the death when a corner was delivered and a scramble inside the box found Stoneham with his back to goal 8 yards out but his shot on the turn was saved well.
FINAL SCORE WITHAM GALACTICOS 3 VALLEY GREEN 4
Its a shame to lose our undefeated record but to still be on top and well within the title race is credit to our good start. Our performance today was our worst of the season but we managed to stay in the game which shows that if we turn up week in week out we should get positive results. Sadly we have to accept that for the first time this season we was out played in the middle of the park and strangely our defence didnt have its best day. Our aim now is to win our next 2 games in October to maintain top spot and keep the others chasing us. Man of the match today was Steve Vicarage who was by far the best player on the pitch when he was introduced and showed real desire to break up the play and encourage others by being very vocal.
Manor Works is up next week
