WITHAM Town moved into second spot in Pitching In Isthmian League division north after their best win of the season, writes JIM PURTILL.
They claimed a fifth successive league win with a 2-0 victory over a Tilbury side that arrived at the Simarco Stadium as the division's form team.
The Dockers had been undefeated for two months but they were well beaten by a hungry and determined Witham side who matched them all over the pitch and were more clinical in attack.
In one of the most absorbing contests witnessed at Witham for some years, the home side grasped the initiative in the second half.
They claimed a memorable victory through goals from Freddie King in the 77th minute and Deese Kasinga-Madia, seconds before the final whistle.
The sides were well matched and there was little in it for most of the game.
Witham had to dig deep at times but performances of the highest quality from goalkeeper Harry Fairs and his defenders nullified the strenuous efforts of the highly-rated Tilbury attack.
The visitors made a bright start and Witham’s Joe Alatise did well to intercept a dangerous ball from Lindell Stewart in the seventh minute.
Fairs saved well from Harry Fry, Stewart and Oliver Spooner in the first 15 minutes, as the visitors made the early running.
Witham grew into the game and striker Andrew Sesay led the line well.
He headed wide after a dangerous run from the impressive Kamani McFarlane, who has shown his quality in recent weeks.
Kasinga-Madia threatened when he had the ball but Witham were content to contain their opponents for the first half hour.
They were cautious about committing men to the attack but could have taken the lead when shots from McFarlane and Liam Whipps hit the same post within seconds of each other.
The high tempo of the first half was followed by a more muted opening to the second period.
The two sides cancelled each other out and goal chances were rare until the hour mark.
Gradually Witham began to create more chances and the front men showed more menace.
The persistence and physicality of Sesay gave the home attack a useful platform.
He was foiled by David Hughes in the Tilbury goal in the 56th minute and again shortly afterwards.
Stewart was outstanding for Tilbury and Ollie Spooner, Jamie Reynolds and Alex Hernandez kept the Witham rearguard occupied.
But Town have found a new level of resilience, this season.
King, on his return from injury, is increasing in influence for Witham in each match and he asserted himself in midfield in customary fashion.
Archie McFadden was all energy and Whipps put in a very effective display.
Witham found the breakthrough when King scored after Whipps' free-kick had been blocked.
Tilbury reacted strongly with the confidence and resolve of a team who are used to winning.
Fairs saved well from Hernandez and Anton Matthews' goal-line clearance prevented an equaliser.
Fairs saved magnificently as the final whistle beckoned and the match ended in dramatic fashion, as Tilbury won a corner in the final seconds.
Hughes left the goal unguarded to join the Tilbury attack; the ball was cleared and Kasinga-Madia ran from his own half to score in the empty net.
The final whistle sounded almost immediately to end a pulsating encounter deservedly won by a Witham side that has been transformed by manager Garry Kimble and his assistants, this season.
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