Boro remain in the cup in the FA Cup after the most dramatic of finales on a sun-drenched autumn afternoon at Coles Park.
1-0 down to an 88th minute Witham goal, Demmy’s free kick in the 101st minute eventually fell to Alaa and he was able to scoop the ball, via a deflection inside the right hand post to send the home crowd wild, and ensure Boro’s name is in the hat for Monday’s 3rd Qualifying Round draw.
Boro had started the first half brightly, but as it wore on Witham began to dominate territory and possession.
Early on a dangerous Jorge cross deflected marginally wide and Joe drilled a shot a yard off target. Derek was a livewire, but being marshalled well by the big Witham backline and wasn’t getting much change out of them, or the officials. The next half chance, halfway through the half fell to Manny. Running onto a breaking ball he smashed it goalbound from 25 yards only to see a defender block.
Boro had been getting good possession in midfield for the first 25 minutes, George particularly looking to spray balls wide at every opportunity, but were forced to defend for large parts of the rest of the half. Michael was alert to tip over a drilled shot and did well to prevent a low cross finding its target. Witham’s centre forward Josh Osude was their main threat, running in behind, pulling defenders out of possession and generally being a nuisance. Boro also needed to be strong defending several well placed set pieces.
But defend them they did and even managed to create the clearest chance in this period. A defender’s airshot allowed the ball to run through to Derek, who was then one on one with the keeper. The keeper managed to get enough on the ball to stop it’s progress towards goal, but couldn’t gather. The ball ran to Joe, following up. His first snatched effort was block and then having to react quickly to the rebound couldn’t keep his second effort on target as the defence recovered.
A game of half chances went in even at the break.
The second half was more of the same. Boro began brightly with Caleb, especially, getting in more advanced areas down the right. His ball to the back post found Manny who may have been better striking first time as, by the time he’d taken a touch and composed himself, found his hot from 10 yards blocked.
Meanwhile Witham were getting closer. The most nerve wracking moment coming on the hour as a corner pinballed around the Boro 6 yard box before going out for a gaol kick.
With 15 minutes of normal time remaining Demmy replaced Manny as Boro tried to push for the winner. They nearly had it on 83 minutes. Derek, again, found himself running onto a through ball, but the keeper made another vital intervention. It was his last action as he was replaced by Fred moments after.
And then Witham scored. From a Boro point of view it was scrappy. Osude had a lot to do picking the ball up 25 yards out. Somehow, despite Tommy and Scott both getting a good foot on the ball, Osude emerged with possession to toe poke inside Michael’s near post.
For Boro there was no point dying wondering. As 6 added minutes were indicated, Louis came on for Tommy, who had moved up front since the goal. Fred picked up an injury after an awkward landing and the sub was subbed, Richard the replacement.
Louis went down under a challenge, but the ref waved away the half-hearted penalty shouts.
There was a stoppage as the officials had to calm a situation that had developed between a spectator and a visiting player, and this, along with the treatment Fred had received prolonged the added time.
Lousi was strong a drew a tired challenge wide right, and moments later Boro had snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat, and ear a replay at Witham on Tuesday 17th September.
Boro: Michael Acquah; Caleb Dennis; Alaa Oujdi; Jorge Djassi-Sambu; Scott Mitchell; J’Ardell Stirling; Manny Yeboah; George Aresti; Joe Waight; Derek Asamoah; Tommy Boxer
Subs: Reuben Rabstein (GK); Fred Agyemang; Ruben Tavares- Baptista; Shaun Sankanu; Demmy Nicolaou; Richard Ennin; Louis Maffia
Att: 348
