Witham Town 0, Heybridge Swifts 2

Swifts' patched up side for this Isthmian North clash on Tuesday, 18 October, saw an unchanged starting eleven from the weekend defeat against Hashtag. Young keeper Joe Whitney returned to the bench with Jack Adlington-Pile, Andrew Fennell and Sam Carter all missing through injury. There was a welcome return to the supporters ranks with Scraley Sam back after wedding duty!

Swifts started strongly and a cross from the left after 6 minutes found Rhys Henry but he was unable to get his shot away cleanly. Three minutes later Swifts gained a corner and Lee Noble found Darren Phillips in space and his header was cleared off the line by the Witham defence with keeper Rhys Madden beaten!

Witham had their fair share of play and looked to take advantage of the long throw of Ramiah Mills but Swifts Central Defensive team of Quba Gordon & Darren Phillips repelled any danger. Swifts went close again on 21 minutes when Rob Harvey sent in a great cross and Ross Wall's shot was blocked by Madden. Two minutes later Kieran Jones crossed and Wall's header went wide. Swifts were making plenty of chances but were just not being clinical with the final touch.

As the half hour approached, Lee Noble made a run into the area and was fouled by Wokoma - leaving the Referee with an easy decision to award a penalty. Keeper Madden was yellow carded for unsporting behaviour as Darren Phillips settled to take the penalty - a short run up and a cannonball shot stinging the fingertips of Madden as it crashed into the back of the net. 

HT: WTFC 0-1 HSFC

Swifts dominated the second half and went close when Ross Wall unleashed a fierce shot on the hour - a defender bravely blocking his shot. Swifts continued to press forward but had to be mindful of the aerial threat of Vyse and the speedy breaks of Mills. The second goal came in the 74th minute - a corner from the left from Lee Noble was met by Phillips and he headed home. 

One area of concern was that Quba Gordon was injured during the corner and he was replaced by Alex Stephenson.

Kieran Jones picked up a needless card for kicking the ball away after 76 minutes and then Louis Arrowsmith made a tackle out wide on the edge of the Swifts penalty area to receive a yellow card as well.

Arrowsmith then went on a marauding run into the Witham half after 77 minutes and he laid the ball into Rhys Henry whose shot was hit wide.

Callum Taylor was brought on in the 86th minute for his Swifts debut replacing Rob Harvey and he soon was involved in the action. With the game in injury time he made a challenge that the referee deemed worthy of a caution.