A derby day visit to Witham last Saturday saw both sides, in need of a win, clash in an admittedly entertaining fixture. A slow even start to the game left fans of both teams wanting more. The back-and-forth nature of the game beckoned a goal – which was met just after half an hour mark, with youngster Junior Nkwonka collecting a well-placed ball on the edge of the box, and subsequently walking it around the home side’s goalkeeper, slotting it home from less than a yard out.

The opener seemed to liven things up as the noise, appeared to further stimulate an impressive first half performance from the quick-footed winger. The SeedGrowers saw out their lead to the half-time whistle, with the remaining fifteen minutes proving to be goalless, despite both team’s best efforts.

Half-time: Witham Town 0 – 1 Coggeshall Town.

Soon into recommencing play, shot-stopper Akan George was forced to seek medical attention after a rash challenge was made on him whilst claiming a ball. A double substitution for Witham in the fifty-fourth minute saw both Ellis Ashworth and Enock Soganile make way for Kieran Southgate and Jamahl Godward, seemingly a tactical change, as the home side’s bench looked to change things up. Breaking into the red’s box again, a crafty low-driven free kick caused trouble for the SeedGrowers defence, with the ball eventually being cleared from the goal line to deny an equaliser.

The lead however did not last long as an unfortunate error from George and Martin Onoabhagbe saw Witham capitalise, bringing the score line to one-one. The captain was booked soon after for a challenge on the right wing, in an attempt to stop play from progressing into the box. The home side then doubled their lead as they headed the ball home, connecting with a well-taken throw-in. Three changes in quick succession for Coggeshall meant that Kris Oti, Cameron Forde-Brown and Josh Hughes replaced Ski Bulauka, Craig Ferguson and Oli Bell. A late booking for Witham’s Joseph Alatise showed their intent to maintain their lead.

Witham made their final change through Rash Salau, who came on in place of Fahad Nazor, just minutes before Mike Osei fired into the bottom left hand of the home side’s goal over three minutes into stoppage time. The equaliser stirred things up, with an already firey game becoming that bit more aggressive. That was not the end of things however, as Lewis Soraf was shown a straight red card following a succession of mistimed challenges throughout the fixture.

Full-time: Witham Town 2 – 2 Coggeshall Town.