Blues 1 Witham Town 1

The Blues began the New Year as the ended the old, with a point but it wasn’t for lack of effort. The hosts produced a terrific second half display with only the woodwork and heroic defending denying an opening win on the first day of the New Year. Again Manager Richard Wilkins was denied a full squad with Patrick Brothers, Joe Francis and Josh Mayhew injured with Tom Bullard only fit enough for the bench. On a dry but very breezy afternoon the hosts began attacking the Estate End and defending a very strong breeze. But it was Leiston who started with the wind in their sails with Gareth Heath and Leon Ottley-Gooch looking menacing from the off. First effort came from Tom Winter but his effort rolled harmlessly at Martyn Guest in the visitor’s goal. Leiston looked intent on an early goal and it should have arrived on 15 minutes. Great work from Gareth Heath down the left flank saw him cross for Tom Winter who failed to make full contact allowing Martyn Guest to save on his line. Moments later Leon Ottley-Gooch showed great skill down the left before crossing for Gareth Heath who got across the defender but flicked his effort against the post. The misses proved costly as against the run of play the visitors took a 21st minute lead. A searching ball for Ellis Brown from Jamie Guy down the Witham left saw keeper Danny Gay unsure whether to come or go and this allowed Ellis Brown to capitalise, rounding the Leiston keeper before teeing up Tom Wraight to side foot home the opener from close range. For a while the home side and supporters were stunned but Leiston soon returned on the offensive with some teasing centres that had the visitors defending strongly. Despite under pressure Witham still looked dangerous on the counter attack and Lewis Godbold was close to adding a second goal but his shot from the edge of the box cleared Danny Gay’s goal. Back came Leiston and a surging run from Danny Cunningham found Scott Mitchell inside the box and his instinctive shot was brilliantly saved by Martyn Guest low to his right. Late in the half former Colchester United striker Jamie Guy fired two efforts over the home bar, the first from a free kick on the edge of the box.

With the wind on their backs and a goal deficit to retrieve, Leiston remained on the front foot forcing Witham deep into their own half. The onslaught began ten minutes in, Craig Parker releasing Gareth Heath inside the box but under pressure his left footed effort was well saved by the leg of Martyn Guest. The first change saw Darren Mills replace the limping Danny Cunningham and the debutant was soon into the action, injecting further pace down the right flank as Tom Winter switched to the left to continue his effective afternoon. On 64 minutes the Essex sides keeper was then forced into a flying high save to keep out Craig Parker’s stinging half volley as the pressure continued. The attacks were relentless and the home side came close again on 67 minutes as Tom Winter’s cross deflected off Nikki Beale past Martyn Guest but against the foot of the post and scrambled clear. Witham’s attacks were now rare as they defended in numbers to frustrate the home side. Corner after corner reigned into the Witham box and after a series of five consecutive corners, finally Leiston got the goal they deserved 13 minutes from time. Although it was somewhat fortuitous it was deserved none the less as Scott Mitchell latched onto a half cleared Gareth Heath corner and his shot was deflected beyond his own keeper by the unfortunate Lewis Godbold. Still Leiston poured forward now sensing all three points and with ten minutes remaining skipper Joe Jefford saw his header from a Gareth Heath corner strike the visitors bar. Leiston were playing some excellent football but Witham continued to battle, keeping their shape to repel the home chances. With eight minutes left Gareth Heath and Leon Ottley-Gooch combined to cut open the visitors defence but as Heath burst into the box his well hit shot rippled the net but sadly for the hosts, it was the side netting. In the five minutes of added on time Witham broke in numbers with the chance to seal the game but some fine defending from Blake Saker eased out the threat of Danny Emmanuel and the chance of one final goal in an entertaining game was gone.

FT – Blues 1 Witham Town 1

Blues line up – Gay, Saker, Boardley, Mitchell, Jefford, Tann, Winter, Heath, Ottley-Gooch, Parker, Cunningham (Mills 56 mins). Subs not used – Bullard, Block and Rossis.

Goals – Godbold own goal 77 mins (Leiston), Wraight 21 mins (Witham Town)

Man of the Match – Gareth Heath

Attendance - 210