Thurrock 1-2 Witham Town

From Ship Lane

Ryman One North

 

THURROCK exited the FA Cup as they were beaten 2-1 by Witham Town.

Fleet were beaten by their fellow Ryman One North outfit, Keke Orth fired wide in the early stages, although Witham looked dangerous on the counter attack.

And it was a counter attack that brought the opening goal. David Cowley’s ball clipped the heels of Leslie Thompson and ran kindly for a Witham player.

The visitors broke at pace and a fine cross was met by John Watson who finished past Connor Wheatley.

And with the half ebbing out, Witham took the game by the scruff of the neck and Lance Adkins turned home a corner.

Orth was denied by the Witham goalkeeper with a fine save on the stroke of half-time.

Thompson volleyed over the crossbar before Orth was again kept out by a spectacular save from Jason Baker, who turned the ball around the post.

But Fleet did get the goal they deserved just after the hour mark. Neat skill from Ross Gleed found Joe Christou and, although his first header was cleared off the line, his second header found the net.

Mark Stimson’s men should have equalised with 15 minutes remaining as Orth shot over after more good work from Gleed.

Christou’s late shot was saved by Baker before Cowley came the width of the crossbar away from forcing a replay as the game ticked into added time.

After the match, Stimson said: “We started bright and in the first 15 minutes put some decent balls into the box but just couldn't finish them off. By half-time we were 2-0 down and then came out in the second half to give everything we could.

“Of course we are disappointed but I am also proud of the way the team played and now the focus shifts to the next game.”

 

Thurrock: Wheatley, Christou, Clark, Waters (Wilson), Sutton, Orth, Thompson (Jason), Toner, Francis (Gleed), Morgan, Cowley