SATURDAY 27TH AUGUST 2022, 3 PM
THE BRIDGE V WITHAM TOWN
ISTHMIAN LEAGUE NORTH
GARDINERS CLOSE, BASILDON

About Witham Town

Nickname The Town
Founded 1876
Ground The Simarco Stadium, Spa Road, Witham
Capacity 2,500 (250 seated)
Chairman Mark Nicholls
Manager Chris Taylor
League Isthmian League North Division
2021–22 Isthmian League North Division, 18th of 20

Clubs named Witham Town have been in existence since the mid-19th century with the original club being disbanded in 1914 due to World War I. The club reformed in 1918 and won the Braintree and District League championship in 1920–21 and 1924–25 as well as the Essex Shield Division Two in 1925–26. They joined the Chelmsford and Mid Essex League (later the Mid-Essex League) and were Division Three champions in 1935–36. They were disbanded again due to the outbreak of World War II.

The club was reformed again after the war and re-joined the Mid-Essex League. They won Division Three in 1947–48 and Division Two the following season. They won the Premier Division cup in 1949–50, but following a dispute with the league over a match played in snowy conditions, the club switched to the South Essex League in 1952. They won the league in 1955–56, before joining the Essex & Suffolk Border League in 1958. They won the ESBL in 1964–65 and 1970–71, as well as the League Cup in 1965–66.

In 1971 they were founder members of the Essex Senior League and were its inaugural champions. They won the league again in 1985–86 and after finishing as runners-up the following season were promoted to Division Two North of the Isthmian League in 1987. They remained in Division Two until being relegated to Division Three in 2000, which was renamed Division Two in 2002.

After finishing as runners-up in 2005–06 they were promoted to Division One North, where they remained until finishing second from bottom in 2008–09 and being relegated back to the Essex Senior League.

In 2013 Witham Town FC started up youth Football. They are currently being placed into the Blackwater and Dengie League. They have an Under 8's and Under 10's and hope to grow from that with other age groups over the coming years.
On 4 May 2014, they sealed promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division after a 3–0 play-off final win at home against Harlow Town.

Recent results & form
Not a bad start to the season for Witham with a win and a narrow defeat in the ILN and progress in the FA Cup with two wins. Town are currently 10th in the league table with three points from their two matches. The Bridge are 18th and yet to record a point after one defeat and one postponement.

Sat 6 Aug London Colney (A) FA Cup Won 5-0
Sat 13 Aug Wroxham (H) ILN Won 4-1
Tue 16 Aug AFC Sudbury (A) ILN Lost 0-1
Sat 20 Aug Brantham Athletic (A)FA Cup Won 1-0

Last season
Mon 30 Aug 2021 The Bridge 0 Witham Town 1
A three-point away day for Witham who took the points with a 63rd-minute winner from Alex Cheniti.

Mon 27 Dec 2021 Witham Town 0 The Bridge 1
Ross Elsom with a 61st-minute winner as The Bridge gain their second win of the season and, indeed, their second consecutive win after the away win at Barking in the previous fixture.

After the postponement of the Great Wakering match, can The Bridge get their first points on the board with a home victory? Get down to Gardiners Close, Bas United to see if the boys can get the three points. COYB!