Town v Witham

[The Invisible Man]

It's still 0-0 after 25 minutes. We missed an open goal early on. Nyman got a nasty ankle injury and has been subbed.

 

Witham have got three players called Hawes, a Howes, and a Holmes.

[The Invisible Man]

Free kick by Rudi just outside the box. keeper saves.

 

Half time 0-0.

 

Not a great game, I am informed, too many passes going astray. We look forward to an improvement in the second half.

[The Invisible Man]

At 4.26pm it's still 0-0.

 

My informant tells me the game is geting a bit scrappy and nasty.

[The Invisible Man]

4.35. We just survived a (good) penalty appeal.

[The Invisible Man]

Town 1 Witham 0.

 

Carroll 78.

[The Invisible Man]

Bad news I'm afraid.

 

Town 1 Witham 1.

[The Invisible Man]

Good news.

 

Town 2 Witham 1.

 

Hammett 88.

 

Come on Town! Another hat trick please Brian!

[The Invisible Man]

FULL TIME

 

Town 2 Witham 1.

 

We seem to have made hard work of it, but well done Town!

[Hawkeye Pierce]

John, Nay, Bastian, Allen, Stephens, Campbell, Velandia, Hall, Crace, Hammatt, Nyman, Hunt, Afriyie, Jones, Jones, Carroll, Gant

 

Crumpen, D Hawes, Holmes. Sharp, Revell, Howes, Joyce, Dawson, K Hawes, McDonald, Murs, Johnson, Humpries, Dowsett, no 17

 

Gate 285

 

On a hot sweltering afternoon the regular injuries to town players on the dust bowl of a pitch was a welcome opportunity for players to take on water. The game in the first half was far from a spectacle. Yes town were passing the ball around well but the final third just wasn’t happening. The best earliest attempt was headed wide by Bryan Hammatt from a lovely cross by Steve Velandia. At the other end JJ smothered a shot from Witham Town. Dean Nyman was crashed to the rock hard ground with an injury. JJ saved from McDonald. Afriyie on for Nyman. Witham then had a header wide it would have been easier to score! At the other end Rudi Hall skied one Steve Velandia cracked a shot for Crumpen to fingertip over his bar acrobatically. Town had a series of short corner disasters with town fans getting a little frustrated. Jamie Nay fouled and injured. Some lovely link play between Afriyie and Hammatt which nearly worked to walk the ball into the net. Town won a free-kick and the resultant shot was saved by Crumpen. Half time and not much to cheer about.

 

Andy Jones on for the injured Jamie Nay. Town were now playing some nice football but there were no openings. Then came a lovely win by Steve Velandia of the ball and sublime through pass to Ricci Crace whose shot was saved. Witham then had a great move for JJ to claim the ball. Ricci Crace was felled and Darren Hawes was booked for the challenge. Paul Campbell was injured and Gareth Dawson was booked. Town scored in this move but the whistle had blown. Dawson subbed. Steve Velandia booked for not appreciating a rough tackle. David Allen tackling back well. David Allen Injured and Robbie Carroll on. On 79 minutes a Rudi Hall Corner was met with a glancing header from Robbie Carroll who beat Crumpen GOAL – Town fans go wild. An Andy Jones header rebounds off the post – So near so far. Owuso vollies wide. A Rudi Hall shot saved. A Ricci Crace one on one with the keeper – Offside damn! At the other end Witham scored the bench erupts and is sent back to the dugout by the ref. 1- 1. Oops from the jaws of victory we were about to lose. At the other end in the last minutes Rudi Hall lets one rip Crumpen misses it but it spins off the foot of the post in almost slow motion across the goal into the path of running in Crace and Hammatt. Hammatt connects with it and scores. 2 – 1. YES! Hammatt booked for stripping hiss shirt off and waving it around his head.

 

Town win but we did as most Towner’s expect make hard work of it!

 

[Mr Happy]

Whitham came for a draw today and nearly succeeded. Credit to them because they were a tough side to beak down and their keeper played very well. All credit to the lads for keeping going and getting the first half goal and then fighting back to earn the win. A tough win and well deserved. A good all round performance on a bumpy pitch.

[OldTowner]

Robbie Carroll - a glancing header !!

Where the hell were you ?

 

It was a great thumping header at the far post across the goal giving the keeper no chance.

Glancing.......balls.

 

I thought he played very well - scoring a good goal and doing the "easy thing" out of defence.

On this performance he should play against Ilford.

[lovely stuff]

Agreed. I think Robbie Carroll is too big a talent to be left out of the side much longer.I'm sure he'll go on to play at a much higher level (hopefully with us). I think his appearences this season have been limited by the fact that we have so much experience and options at centre back.(Tickner/Allen/Stephens/Gant..etc).

 

Even so, Jim would be wise to give him a real chance in the friendlies for next season.Give him three straight 90 minutes at centre back,and i'm sure he'll make himself a permanent fixture in the starting 11.

[Mr Happy]

With two critical fixtures and, thus, hopefully just the crucial play off final I would hope that Jim choses the strongest defence. Sure Robbie played well and it was a good header but experience will be the key for the rest of the season. I totally agree that Jim should give Robbie some starts during the next pre-season and give him the opportunity to shine.

[andyetfc]

What's the saying nowadays? 'We won ugly.' Thought Witham tried their best to win rather than draw and contested everything. How we did not give a penalty away in the second half when JJ was all over their striker like a rash was beyond me.

 

Must say well done to their two supporters behind the goal who never gave up cheering their team on in the second half.

 

Pitch was hard, but it will be even harder next week at Ilford when they will be playing for their Ryman North place for next season. It could well be that when we are looking for second place, then we could be sending them down to the Essex Senior League.

 

 

[townerboy]

well doen boys,although not a great performance at all. second place till a psosibility but must play better. well doen Robbie, and also Bryan, who ran himself into the ground. since being dropped his performances have been excellent and his finishign improved greatly. jsut hold it together for three or four more games lads.