Witham Town 0
Heybridge Swifts 2
Heybridge Swifts moved into the playoff positions as a Danny Phillips brace sealed a 2-0 win over Essex rivals Witham Town.
The Swifts fell to their first league defeat on Saturday, losing 2-0 away to Hashtag United, but Steve Tilson’s men returned to winning ways in what was a dominant performance.
The visitors dominated from the off and nearly took the lead twice in the opening seven minutes. Firstly, a Ross Wall cross picked out an unmarked Rhys Henry however the 32-year old’s first touch let him down and Witham’s Rhys Madden was able to close him down and parry his attempt away.
Two minutes later a Lee Noble corner was met by Phillips who headed the ball powerfully across goal, however the woodwork came to Witham’s rescue and the danger was cleared.
Heybridge were not to be denied and just before the half hour mark they finally broke the deadlock. A Tyler Brampton cross broke to Rob Harvey just inside the penalty area who was clumsily bundled over by Town’s Joseph Alatise, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. Phillips stepped up and thumped his penalty home to give Heybridge the lead, Madden got a hand to it, but Phillips’ strike proved to be too powerful for the home goalkeeper. This was also the first penalty Heybridge have been awarded so far this campaign.
The second half was a lot less busy at the Simarco Stadium as Heybridge looked to hold onto their one goal advantage whilst Witham lacked any creativity; and with 15 minutes left on the clock the hosts were made to pay. Just like in the first half a Noble corner was met by an unmarked Phillips; however this time the Heybridge defender’s header beat Madden to make it 2-0 to the Swifts.
It wasn’t until injury time when Witham finally warmed the gloves of Heybridge goalkeeper Callum Chafer. Substitute Deese Madia was found in space on the right-hand side. The winger cut inside and fired a rasping strike towards goal that Chafer had to beat behind for a corner.
Defeat for Witham means they are now five games without a win in all competitions and six games without a clean sheet. The Town are now also ten games without a win against Heybridge – Witham haven’t beaten the Swifts since 2017.
Three points for Steve Tilson’s side means their two-game winless league run away from home comes to an end. A 2-0 score line also seals Heybridge’s first league clean sheet on the road this term.
Witham Town: Madden, Ige, Whipps, McLean, Alatise, Wokoma, Southgate (Mharapara 58’), Dauti (Mengi 70’), Vyse, Mills, Godward (Madia 59’)
Goals: N/A
Heybridge Swifts: Chafer, Brampton, Arrowsmith, Noble, Gordon (Stephenson 74’), Henry, Sartain, Wall, Harvey (Taylor 86’), Jones, Phillips
Goals: Phillips 29’, 74’
Attendance: 329
MOTM: Darren Phillips (Heybridge Swifts)
By Nathan Williams
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