BLUES IN THE HAT

Blues produced a dogged forceful display to claim a place in the next round of the cup after being denied for so long by a brilliant performance from Witham stopper Rhys Madden who kept his side in the game with a series of vital saves. After last years controversial exit from the competition Blues fans must have feared the worst after seeing their team dominate proceedings - with just two minutes left on the clock and a penalty shoot out looming thoughts of another exit was a possibility. But, substitute Joe Agunbade had other ideas using his electric pace he whipped in a dangerous low cross which was turned in by Witham defender Nathan Okay eliciting a roar from the relieved Blues faithful.

The goal was no more than Blues deserved after creating numerous chances and only Madden's acrobatics denied them more reward for their efforts. These are early days but there were periods during the 90 minutes when Cooper's men showed they are capable of playing fast attacking football coupled with a more solid defensive set up where Pat Ahern and Lewis Clark are forming a good understanding . The midfield shows more energy with Joe Paxman continuing to shine, linking play harrying and hustling the opposition. With Tony Stokes on the bench as a cautionary measure Mitch Hahn was deployed in his place and with Joao Carlos also on the bench with a niggling injury Blues attacking potential was blunted or so we thought.

Witham made a bright start winning an early corner and came close to breaking the deadlock when Greg Akpele raced forward crossed low to the near post where Danny Sambridge had to be alert blocking with his legs after a goalmouth scramble .

Darrelle Russell featured prominently as Blues grew into the game, seeing plenty of the ball teasing the Witham defenders with some dangerous runs supplied by a midfield dictating play.

The visitors by now were offering little going forward resorting to long balls easily dealt with by Ahern and Clark - Akpele in a rare raid had an opportunity but was wasteful firing wide.

It was Mitch Hahn who came close to opening Blues account when he unleashed one of his trademark thunderbolts from 35 yards which whistled just over with Madden clutching at air, echoes of that goal at Heybridge last season came to mind.

Blues continued to press, Russell saw an effort slide past the post and then Madden denied him with his legs to prevent what looked a certain goal and then Ryan Meleugh had a shot deflected for a corner.

HT 0-0

Tony Stokes appeared in the second half at the expense of Moroyin Omalabi allowing Mitch Hahn to slot into midfield - the move strengthened Blues creativity and they continued to push for that decisive opener. Witham proved stubborn in denying their hosts offering little in attacking areas but still keeping themselves in the game.

It was now constant pressure on the away goal Witham were conceding free kicks with regularity upsetting Blues rhythm as they continued to probe for an opening.

Joao Carlos came off the bench on the hour mark and he was quickly into the action with a low drive which Madden did well to block with his legs, the keeper then denied the same player again in similar fashion to keep his goal intact.

It would have been easy for Blues to let frustration creep into their game, but they plugged away using the flanks to good advantage, where a rejuvenated Ryan Sammons figured with overlapping runs and dangerous crosses. From one of numerous free kicks Hahn picked out Stokes whose lunge just failed to make contact with the ball.

Under pressure for so long Witham could so easily have produced a snatch and grab win, but only a superb finger tip save by Sambridge denied them.

With a last throw of the dice 17 year old Agunbade was introduced , hoping his pace would unlock the key to a goal and straight away he showed his huge potential with an electrifying run and cross which was cleared under pressure. But with just a minute to go on the clock Agunbade did manage to pick the lock, surging to the byeline he cut the ball back where the unfortunate Okaye in an effort to clear could only slide the ball past Madden.

The goal brought a great roar form the sizeable crowd no doubt relieved that the lottery of a penalty shoot out had been avoided and propelling Blues into the next round.

Sambridge, Sammons, Joynes, Ahern, Clark, Dark, Russell (Carlos 60), Omolabi(Stokes 45), Hahn, Paxman, Meleugh (Agunbade 81)

Subs not used:Bartley, Girling, Edwards, Hirst