WITHAM Town made the best possible start to their Pitching In Isthmian League division north campaign with a convincing 3-0 win at Brightlingsea Regent, writes JIM PURTILL.

After scoring a 15th-minute goal they deservedly stayed ahead for the rest of the match and scored two late goals to round off a very satisfactory afternoon.

The hosts settled into the match quickly and they made the running in the early stages.

With less than a minute on the clock Brightlingsea's Harry Mann shot for goal and Witham goalkeeper Harry Fairs was forced to turn the ball over the crossbar.

In the seventh minute a good shot outside the penalty area from Brightlingsea's Charlie Collis brought out a double save from Fairs.

Three minutes later, a timely interception by Witham's Joseph Alatise prevented a shot from close range.

The hosts had looked dangerous going forward but Witham took the lead in the 15th minute when a good pass from Josh Osude on the right found league debutant Callum Fitzer, who created space and shot past Billy Lawlor.

Two minutes later Fitzer nearly scored again when his header narrowly cleared the crossbar.

By this time, the initiative had passed to Witham who bolstered by a stubborn defence looked lively in attack.

Archie McFadden was in the thick of the action on the right of midfield.

Fitzer was a handful for the home defence and fellow debutant Golden Igbineweka imposed himself in centre midfield.

(Image: JIM PURTILL)

Brightlingsea exerted pressure on Witham's defence but the hosts struggled to find their earlier rhythm.

Their hard-working captain Harry Critchley gave the ball away badly in the 24th minute and a shot from Osude was deflected for a corner.

Excellent interplay between Anton Matthews and Igbineweka resulted in a fierce Osude shot being turned away for another corner.

The early period of the second half had a more subdued feel about it. There were fewer threats on goal as both sides found it harder to create chances.

Brightlingsea's attacks were less fluent and they often ended in loose balls that failed to test the Witham defence.

Witham's attacks became more ponderous than in the first half and they over-complicated moves when a more direct approach could have been fruitful.

Around the hour mark the match opened up and chances for both sides became more plentiful.

Fairs made a fine 68th-minute save when he turned away a free-kick from outside the penalty area.

A good Brightlingsea move ended when Critchley hit a scrambled shot over the crossbar soon afterwards.

It was as close as the home side would come to an equaliser.

The latter stages of the match belonged to Witham. Substitute Kamani McFarlane made a difference as his physical approach enabled the visitors to create more dangerous attacks. Osude grew in influence as the game went on. He threatened tiring defenders with his ball-holding skills.

He created Witham's second goal in the 88th minute when he rounded Lawlor and crossed for Deese Kasinga-Madia to score.

Deep into added time, Osude claimed a goal of his own.

After being felled in the penalty area he scored from the spot to round off an outstanding performance by Witham.

A point would have been a good outcome for Witham from this fixture and manager Garry Kimble will be very satisfied with this result.

Key players including Ryan Dear, Rowan Dorling and Andrew Sesay were unavailable but their replacements were more than a match for a Brightlingsea side with play-off ambitions.

Last season's Witham squad finished the campaign well and Kimble's additions to the squad have added depth and quality.

This Sunday's Emirates FA Cup tie against Grays Athletic at Tilbury will be a test but Witham will go in the fixture with confidence, after this impressive performance and result.