With several unavailabilities, Jason Savage utilised the young Tav Seaton after an impressive display against Cornard fourteen days ago. He was joined on the bench by another youngster in Oliver Sanderson.
Liam Daniels returned between the sticks and was protected by Matt Griffin at right back, Ben Fowler and Josh Sidki at centre half. Andrew Schofield wantied more footballing action despite playing 210 minutes in 72 hours, 90 of which being the first team's Friday night fixture at AFC Sudbury! Dan Morgan and Dan Homewood sat in front of the back four allowing Joe Steel, Jamie Baker and Owen Bryan to play a more attacking role. Ollie O'Hare returned to lead the line.

Trying their utmost to unsettle Wivenhoe, Witham were out early to set up camp in the Wivenhoe half. Their plan backfiring when Ben Fowler won the toss and sent them back to face the sun.
For a change, Wivenhoe started well. Matt Griffin and Andrew Schofield saw plenty of the ball and made plenty of threatening penetrative forward runs. The central midfield of Morgan, Homewood and Bryan getting plenty of possession to and looked to switch play at every opportunity.
It's fair to say however that despite their possession, the dragons never troubled the Witham goalkeeper and in fact it was Liam Daniels who was probably the busier of the two.
Witham broke the deadlock late into the first half. The referee who had given Witham free kick after free kick when they appealed gave into another appeal, awarding a corner without the linesman's assistance from the centre of the pitch. This did unsettle Wivenhoe and three phases of play later Witham scored nipping the ball past Liam Daniels at the front post.
Wivenhoe knew they needed to compete and therefore had to appeal for decision themselves. With this they did create opportunities, none of which however resulted in a goal.

HT Wivenhoe 0-1 Witham

Wivenhoe once again came out with fire in their bellys. Dan Homewood making strong and important challenges in the centre of midfield and the full backs combining with the wingers to create promising attacks down the flanks.
The possession and patterns of play coming from the blues was impressive. Especially from the two 16 year olds Tav Seaton and Oliver Sanderson who looked unphased by the speed of the game that they weren't used to.
At Witham Liam Daniels was sent off for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity, for the striker to then admit he didn't touch him. Daniels got some sort of justice in the second half of this fixture as the same player came in late on Daniels and was cautioned.
Wivenhoe came close to equalising when Jake Cavill connected with a volley from 25 yards out, which was bravely blocked.
Unfortunately, Witham scored a second towards the end of the game, Ben Fowler headed behind for a corner and from the resulting corner Dan Homewood left his man at the back post to score unmarked.
Andy Schofield picked up a dead leg towards the end of the game and Jason Savage decided to throw players forward, replacing him with Joe Steel. With this change came spaces and a long ball over the top from Witham wasn't dealt with, leaving a foot race to the ball which the Witham player won to seal the three points.
Despite Witham running the clock down and the substitutions made there was no added time and play was called to a halt dead on 90 minutes.

FT Wivenhoe 0-3 Witham

Wivenhoe shouldn't be disheartened by the result. At Witham it was 0-0 until Liam Daniels was sent off and with 11 players and a recognised goalkeeper 6-0 wouldn't have been the end result. Similar to this game, had the right choice have been made to allow play to continue in the first half it's unlikely Witham would have come in at the break a goal up. 9 goals in 2 games truly flatters Witham and Wivenhoe should continue to play the attractive football they have been to develop as a group and as individuals.