In a demanding away fixture, the Witham 4th team secured a hard-fought victory against Old Loughtonians 7th following a lengthy cross-county journey. The match, kicking off at 4:00 PM after the squad’s long drive across Essex, tested the team’s mental and physical resilience right up to the final whistle.

Early Strike and Line-Up

Witham started with great focus, wasting no time to capitalize on the travel fatigue. The starting line-up featured David G in goal, protected by fullbacks Steve M, Jack T, and James B. The midfield engine room consisted of Oscar L, Sam M, Harry W, Craig E, and Joel W, providing support for forwards Woz and Austin B, with Calum C ready on the bench.

The reward for their quick start came in the 2nd minute when Woz found the net with a sharp open play goal, setting the tone for what looked like a dominant afternoon.

Injuries and Card Trouble

The first half proved costly, however, as midfielder Harry W sustained an injury late in the period and was unable to return to the pitch, forcing an early reshuffle and utilizing the versatility of substitute Calum C.

The second half brought mounting pressure and disciplinary challenges. In the 40th minute, Sam M was issued a green card, temporarily reducing Witham to ten men. This situation was repeated later in the game when Jack T received a green card in the 60th minute after a short discussion with the umpire on the subject of “advantage”.

Despite being short-handed twice in the crucial second half, the back line of Steve M, James B, and the returning Jack T—marshalled expertly by goalkeeper David G—stood firm.

Tense Finish

The home side pushed intensely in the closing stages, leveraging the numerical advantages and capitalizing on Witham’s fatigue. The final minutes saw the Witham defense absorbing wave after wave of Old Loughtonians attacks. David G produced several important saves, and the defensive unit showed tremendous discipline and grit to clear their lines.

Witham successfully "held on" to the narrow lead established by Woz’s early goal, securing a well-deserved 1-0 victory and proving their depth and determination in a challenging fixture.

Post-Match Awards

Man of the Match: The award goes to goalkeeper David G for his exceptional performance, particularly in the dying minutes, ensuring the clean sheet remained intact with a series of crucial saves under intense pressure.

Dunce of the Day (DoTD): Midfielder Oscar L was the recipient of the dreaded DoTD award after mistaking the small, designated warm-up area for the actual pitch and suggesting it might be "a bit small."