WITHAM Town had a day to forget after losing 4-2 to Cambridge City at the Simarco Stadium, writes JIM PURTILL.

After taking the lead in the first minute of the second half, a depleted Witham side fell victim to the clinical finishing of Jamie Cureton's side, who scored three goals in 18 minutes to seal his side's Pitching In Isthmian League division north win.

To compound their misery, Witham were reduced to nine men at the final whistle after receiving two red cards.

Town made a lively start and took a ninth-minute lead through Ollie Bell, who converted Deese Kasinga-Madia's cross.

(Image: NIGEL HAKES)

Witham were well on top early on; three minutes after the goal, Shakeel Morris shot over the bar and Kamani McFarlane went close in the 22nd minute after a good run by Liam Whipps.

Archie McFadden was dangerous on the right for the hosts, who looked capable of building a useful lead before the break.

Witham played positively for the first half hour but failed to add to their score, despite forcing several corners.

Cambridge gradually found their way back into the match.

Alex Warman impressed in midfield for the visitors and Aaron Greene was a handful for the home defence, who began to live dangerously.

(Image: NIGEL HAKES)

The Witham defence lacked its customary assurance in the absence of Rowan Dorling, Joseph Alatise and Ryan Dear.

Goalkeeper Harry Fairs made two good saves before Cambridge’s Jack Thompson equalised in first-half added time with a good finish.

Witham regained their lead after the break through Morris but their joy was short-lived as parity was restored when Greene scored in the 53rd minute.

Cambridge began to take control and looked a lot more dangerous as their busy midfield repeatedly found space and pushed Witham onto the backfoot.

There was a greater assertiveness to Cambridge’s play and the visitors looked likely to score again.

A second yellow card for Witham’s Archie McFadden in the 65th minute had an immediate and lasting impact.

(Image: NIGEL HAKES)

Thompson scored Cambridge’s third goal from the subsequent free-kick and McFadden’s departure effectively signalled the end of Witham, as an attacking force, as they lost their shape and their momentum.

The greater movement of the Cambridge forwards and the incisiveness of their finishing paid dividends.

George Smith added a fourth goal for the visitors in the 71st minute after a good cross from the right found him in front of goal.

There was no lack of effort from Witham, with Whipps, Kasinga-Madia and McFarlane working tirelessly to redress the balance.

But without the missing Andrew Sesay, the hosts lacked a target man to hold the ball up and create chances.

Witham’s woes were compounded by a second yellow card for Ruemu Abutoh, in added time.

It made little difference to the result but his and McFadden’s suspensions will provide a headache for manager Garry Kimble.

The manager will hope that this result was an outlier and that the return of key players will steady the ship ahead of the visit of Sporting Bengal, on Saturday.