Match report: Cambridge City 5-0 Witham Town

Cambridge City took on Essex outfit Witham Town under the lights on Tuesday night. City were coming into the game on the back of a 3-1 win at home to Buckhurst Hill in the FA Cup, a win which awarded City a Third Qualifying tie with Southern League Premier Division Central side Alvechurch. Witham were also in action in the FA Cup on Saturday, hosting Isthmian League Premier's St Albans City, with the visitors running out as 3-0 winners. Jayden Randell and Ryan Fryatt remained sidelined for the game, although it transpired that City didn't need to do too much defensive work.

The Lilywhites had scored six goals in their last home league game, and it took just two minutes for them to start the motor running. Jack Thompson picked out Fletcher Toll, and the latter's shot was parried by Josh Blunkell. Charlie Norman then picked up a cross and sent a shot goalward which Blunkell was also equal to.

Two minutes later and City had the lead. A long throw was aimed into the box and Toll pounced quickly to find the net and give the home side the lead. Witham tried to react immediately when Ollie Bell dispatched a corner which ex-Lilywhite George Smith sent over after connecting with a flick-on. Reece Harris then played a long ball which landed straight at the feet of Lewis Hayes, Hayes went on a run and his strike at the end of the run was blocked en route to goal at the far post.

City then had a throw after 21 minutes. The long throw found Travis Dodsworth, who played in a cross which saw Charlie Royle's shot blocked off the line; it fell to Norman, who thumped home emphatically to double City's lead.

Witham had a couple of chances up the other end in the space of four minutes. A quick corner saw Liam Whipps have a cross cleared away, and Gabe Campbell sent in another cross which Harry Haysom narrowly headed wide. Haysom was in action again after 40 minutes when he headed inches over the crossbar after connecting with Manny Ogunrinde's free-kick.

With 42 minutes on the clock, it became 3-0. A throw was directed into the penalty area and Charlie Lewis flicked on a pass which Royle latched onto; he then turned smartly and slotted home. The strikel gave Charlie Royle his sixth goal of the league campaign.

Towards the end of the first half, there was a moment of controversy. A cross came into the penalty area and Thompson appeared to be caught in the face by a Witham defender. However, referee Darren Lander seemed unmoved. Half-time came with City winning 3-0, although Hayes could've made it 4 when he forced Blunkell into a save after the former had been picked out by Norman.

City kicked-off the second half, and started the better of the two, despite the fact that James Philp had to parry away Jordan Elongo's effort after the midfielder had been sought out by substitute Ziad Bakaar. City then had a throw which led to a Norman cross which was deflected just wide of the post by Haysom. City then had a free-kick after Hayes had been fouled by Sam Bantick as the City midfielder was embarking on a solo run. Thompson took the free-kick and Haysom had to be on hand to head away the danger.

Thompson then sent a free-kick into the 18-yard area up towards the far post, Lewis attached himself to the cross but his header went just wide. City had a few more chances before the game was officially out of reach for the visitors. Babalola and Norman played a neat one-two, the former then played the ball into Warman's path and the midfielder steered the ball home to make it 4-0 and cap off the best move of the game. Witham kept seeking an opening goal but the next one came for the hosts. Dodsworth had beautifully picked out Ryan King and, although Umaru Kabia initially thought he had won the ball back, King found Freddie Hockey and the striker poked in for City's fifth of the night, and their 20th goal at home in four matches. Kabia and Haysom were then booked for dissent.

The match finished soon after, with City claiming their biggest league win so far, beating their 6-2 win over Tilbury last week. Mickey Spillane's side will now travel to Norfolk on Saturday for a tough away fixture with fifth-placed Gorleston.

Many thanks to Connor Taylor-Creek for the match report.