Yeovil Tn 2, Witney Tn 1 BRAVE Witney bowed out of the FA Cup, but only after a tremendous display against one of the giants of non-league football.

For long periods of the first half, Witney dominated their illustrious opponents and were left to rue several missed chances which ultimately cost them a place in the first round proper.

Most of the opportunities fell to prolific striker Carl Henry, but this time his club record run of scoring in nine successive games came to a halt.

At the start, Witney forced Yeovil on to the back foot with a succession of early corners, one of which saw Henry's goalbound header cleared off the line by Kevin Brown.

In the 19th minute, Geoff Neville danced down the left and crossed to Henry at the far post, but his header went inches wide.

As Witney continued to dominate, Simon Abercrombie flicked on an Andy Flory throw to Henry, whose shot was blocked on the line, and the striker suffered the same fate with a bullet header. Yeovil's first attack didn't come until the 33rd minute when Ben Smith's effort was blocked on the line by skipper Gary Murphy.

Yeovil were more dangerous in the second period, although Witney continued to press, Pennock saving Neville's 30-yard effort at full stretch.

A possible turning point came in the 67th minute when Yeovil's Chris Sparks appeared to elbow Justin Miller off the ball, but none of the officials could identify the guilty party.

This seemed to affect Witney and three minutes later, they conceded a soft goal when Jamie Pitman's long throw was spilled into his own net by keeper Kevin Alder.

Alder made amends by blocking a close range Matt Stowell effort, the rebound falling to Hayfield, who hit the post from two yards. The game was as good as won a minute later when Adrian Foster drilled home an angled shot past Alder from 18 yards.

Witney refused to lie down and had three chances towards the end, scoring a deserved consolation from one of them in injury time when Murphy netted a sweet right-footed effort.

Witney Tn: Alder, Flory (Bourne 75), Organ, Murphy, Tavinor, Abercrombie, Redknap, Caffel, Henry, Miller (Waters 85), Neville (Swann 90). Subs not used: Merriman, Morgan.

Referee: L Jones (Bournemouth).

Attendance: 2,192.

Story date: Monday 18 October

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