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

History:
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.

Ground
After being reformed after World War II the club initially played on a cow pasture with a barn acting as the changing rooms. During the 1949–50 season the club moved to the Crittall Windows works ground in the Park in the town centre. In 1964 the club decided to seek new playing facilities suitable for senior football and in 1970 was offered its present ground, Spa Road, although the move did not happen until 1975. Witham's record attendance is 898, set in their 2014 play-off victory against Harlow Town.

Recent results & form
Witham Town are currently 16th in the league table with 27 points from 30 matches compared to The Bridge who are 20th with 18 from 31. They have won 8, drawn 3 and lost 19, The Bridge are 5, 3 and 23. Goal-wise, Witham have scored 38 and conceded 65 for a GD of -27. The Bridge are -38, having scored 28 and conceded 66. Home form has seen 5 wins, 2 draws, and 8 defeats at The Simarco Stadium and should The Bridge win, it will be their 3rd away victory this season.

Current form sees Witham in 14th and The Bridge in 20th. Witham have won 2, drawn 1, and lost 3 of their last 6 while The Bridge have lost all of their last 6 matches.

Witham’s last six match results are:
Gorleston (Away) Lost 1-4
Great Wakering Rovers (Home) Lost 2-3
New Salamis (Home) Drew 1-1
Lowestoft Town (Away) Lost 0-4
Tilbury (Away) Won 2-0
Stowmarket Town (Home) Won 2-1

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.

This season:
Sat 27 Aug 2022 The Bridge 1 Witham Town 3
The Town secured the three points with two goals from Ramiah Mills (34’ and 44’) before Roland Otneyia pulled one back on 50 minutes. A 90th-minute goal from Jamahl Godward made it 3-1 to the visitors.

Watch out for:
Michael Bareck
Michael has scored 5 goals in 7 appearances, 4 of which have been in the last six matches.
Another one to watch for is ex-Bridge man Harry Honesty.

Harry, not Michael...honestly!

ROAD TRIP

The Simarco Stadium
Spa Road
Witham
Essex
CM8 1UN
01376511198
email withamtownfcsecretary@gmail.com

Not too bad this one as our Google driver can get to Witham Town in 34 minutes. 19.3 miles will take you there for an afternoon of agony and, hopefully, ecstasy if you see what I mean.

What can I say, every game now is a Cup Final, so no complaining, how many times do you get to watch your favourite team in seven Cup Finals in a row?!!

It’s The Town v The Village, although we’re more than a village, We Are The Bridge.
COYB

A TMT match preview for HSFC