WITHAM TOWN U18

Harwich travelled over to Witham Town whose team were buoyant after a great victory against high flying Long Melford the week before. Harwich made changes with Lee Peacock unavailable bringing in the versatile Lewis Wood at left back and Andy Hammett starting up front for the injured Dom Warren, The 1st half display was one of Harwich's best opening 45 minutes of the season, the back four of Jordan Knight, The exquisite Daryl Johnson Lee Sharp & Lewis Wood in front of Elliott Harrison putting in a faultless 1st half display of defending and distribution out of defence.

The 1st goal for Harwich was a cracker, a good cross swung in from the right by Dan Harrison was half cleared by the Witham centre half, but landed 23 yards out to Michael Hammond whose 1st time volley went past the keeper into the top of the net. Harwich again controlled everything Luke Good playing the attacking role alongside holding midfielder Phil Taylor were both outstanding, and through these two Harwich's second goal came Phil Taylor dispossessing the Witham Town player releasing the ball to Luke good who beat two players before threading the ball to Ollie Mann who shot beat the keeper all ends up. Witham had to make changes due to there midfield being over run, and brought on 1st team starlet Harry Licence to try and snuff out Taylor's & Good's dominance in midfield. Dan Harrison on the Harwich right of midfield had a fantastic 1st half his best performance of the season.

As expected Witham made changes in the second half and came out all guns blazing, the good size support who travelled over from Harwich kept the Harwich boys going and they needed to as Witham become dominant and squandered two good chances, Elliot Harrison came out to meet the Witham forward through on goal and stayed big forcing the striker to shoot well wide. Phil Taylor who has been carrying a niggle for two weeks came off for the youngest of the team the superb James King.

The second half performance from Harwich wasn't pretty, but it was workmanlike and solid soaking up anything Witham could throw at them, Andy Hammett came off to make way for Chris Collins who made an impact straight away setting up Luke Good whose side footed shot went well over, Sean Kioussis came on for the hard working Captain Michael Hammond, Harwich instead of sitting back in the last ten minutes took control and after great inter play Ollie Mann added a third, and his 18th goal in 11 games lobbing the keeper late on. With the season coming to a crucial stage Phil Harrison & Michael Wildney the Harwich manager & Assistant must be extremely happy with this performance. Leaving Harwich & Parkeston under 18's as the table shows looking in a very good position with four games to go.