Witham

Saturday 27th October 2018
Buildbase FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round
Herne Bay 2 (1) - (0) 1 Witham Town
Att: 210
Goals: Schafer Wilkins

Herne Bay: Jordan Beeney, Simon Kabamba, Raphe Brown, James White, Nick Reeves, Danny Leonard, Bradley Schafer, Tom Carlton, Jake Embery, Connor Wilkins Alex Mulrooney-Skinner
Subs not used: Miles Cornwell, Eniyalefa Amgbaduba, Jamie Chamberlain, Leshawn Clifford-Awoyemi, Ikem Odeh

The two second to bottom clubs in the Division one North and South East met in the 1st qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Trophy and it was the South East team who came away the victors. Witham Town were very physical and we lost count of the number of fouls committed against us. Playing without the usual centre backs , Nick Reeves was drafted in, playing his first game since the opening fixture against Faversham Town, playing alongside James White and these two players controlled their defence brilliantly.
Despite starting brightly Witham never really troubled Jordan Beeney but once Bay got into their passing game they dominated the play and with their first real attempt on goal could have taken the lead; Connor Wilkins brought the ball in from the left flank, passed to Danny Leonard who cut inside before setting up Tom Carlton whose shot crashed against the bar. Two minutes later Carlton linked up with Alex Mulrooney-Skinner but his weak shot was comfortably collected by keeper, Luca Collins. Bay deservedly took the lead minutes later; Bradley Schafer powering a header from Carlton’s corner kick, at the near post.
Bay continued to dominate the half which was littered by fouls committed by Witham’s big
Defenders but no further goals came in the half.
The 2nd half started in the same vein. Wilkins nearly increased the lead but his volley from a corner kick was cleared off the line by the full back with Collins nowhere. Witham’s Alfie Cerulli was stretchered off after landing badly following an aerial challenge. His replacement Alejandro Seoane Barber made an immediate impact heading the equaliser following a bad error of judgement by Raphe Brown; thinking the ball had gone out of play, he switched off allowing Johnny Ashman to send in a cross for Barber to punish Bay. Witham were now in the
ascendancy and pushed forward looking to add to their tally but a counter attack started by Simon Kamamba winning a tackle and moving the ball quickly to Leonard whose forceful run and after cutting inside he passed to Jake Embery on the edge of the area. Instead of shooting Embery slid a controlled pass to the far post where Wilkins raced in to slot the ball home, restoring Bay’s lead. This proving to be the winning goal.
Witham increased the pace of play throwing everything at Bays defence but Reeves and White were totally dominant. A rash challenge by White on the edge of the area in the closing minutes gave Witham hopes of forcing a replay but Jack Isherwood’s shot was comfortably saved by Beeney. Relief when the final whistle came with Bay progressing into the next round and in Monday’s draw.