WITHAM Town suffered their first away league defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 at Bury Town, writes JIM PURTILL.

They emerged with a lot of credit for a good performance from the Pitching In Isthmian League division north game, in which they matched their hosts in everything but finishing.

Few sides relish a trip to Ram Meadow; Bury have only lost two league matches there since the start of 2023/24.

It is a venue where Witham have been comprehensively outplayed and heavily beaten several times in the last few seasons but they put up a much better showing last Saturday.

It is a measure of Witham’s improvement that they were disappointed to lose to a side who moved to the top of the table after this result.

(Image: NIGEL HAKES)

Witham looked the more impressive team in the early part of the contest.

They showed their attacking credentials with two good runs by Deese Kasinga-Madia and Josh Osude in the early exchanges.

The visitors had cause for complaint when a dangerous run by Osude was halted by the referee to allow treatment for an injured Witham player.

The visitors forced five corners in the opening 15 minutes and Bury goalkeeper Charlie Beckwith had to punch the ball away twice, while under pressure.

As in previous seasons, Bury were dangerous on the break and Cemal Ramadan forced Harry Fairs into a good save, only seconds after Witham had threatened at the other end.

(Image: NIGEL HAKES)

A strong run by Kasinga-Madia in the 17th minute ended when his attempted pass was intercepted just as Osude was poised to shoot.

Bury took the lead two minutes later through Ethan Mayhew after some sloppy defensive play by Witham.

Witham pushed forward and had the lion’s share of possession but they lacked a cutting edge.

Bury goalkeeper Beckwith saw much more action than his opposite number Fairs but he was not tested enough. Osude's pace put him in good positions but he was often isolated and was unable to beat several defenders without support.

The trickery of Kasinga-Madia frequently proved difficult for the Bury defence but there was no successful outcome for the Witham attack.

Osude, Freddie King and Ollie Bell put shots high over the bar when more composure would have paid dividends. Ramadan put Bury two goals ahead in the 40th minute.

(Image: NIGEL HAKES)

The scoreline flattered the hosts but the speed and quality of the move and the clinical finish indicated why Bury are such a force in the division.

For most of the second half Bury were content to close the match down and Witham were unable to find a breakthrough.

Manager Garry Kimble made changes by introducing Kamni McFarlane, Ayomide Adelaja, Golden Igbineweka and Callum Fitzer.

Much of the sting had gone out of the game but the substitutes breathed new life into Witham as the match wore on.

McFarlane was particularly impressive, as the visitors tried to find a way back into the match.

Kasinga-Madia gave Witham hope in the 89th minute when he scored.

There was very little time left but the last few minutes had a cup-tie atmosphere.

Witham attacked with renewed vigour but they were unable to draw level.

After another testing fixture at Tilbury on Tuesday, Witham will face Newmarket Town at the Simarco Stadium on Saturday.