FA TROPHY FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND Soham Town Rangers 6 Witham Town 0 RYMAN League North strugglers Witham Town proved no match for the Greens on Saturday as they became one of three sides hit for six in the First Qualifying Round of the competition. Soham

FA TROPHY FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

Soham Town Rangers 6 Witham Town 0

RYMAN League North strugglers Witham Town proved no match for the Greens on Saturday as they became one of three sides hit for six in the First Qualifying Round of the competition.

Soham paraded new signing Adam Weston after his signing from Deeping Rangers, and they were soon in front through Paul Jones, his left wing corner finding the net via McKoy on the line after only five minutes.

Billy Smith is still looking for his first goal since joining the club from Wisbech Town, and he should have broken his duck when released by Jones in the 12th minute.

He rounded the goalkeeper Madden and had the goal at his mercy, but somehow contrived to strike his effort against the foot of the near post.

Jones caused more problems in the Witham defence with an in swinging corner before the visitors had their first attempt on goal after 20 minutes, but it was a Jones free-kick that led to Soham's second goal on 34 minutes.

Smith flicked the ball on, and Scott Carter nodded in from close range to make it 2-0.

Another Jones corner led to a third Rangers goal soon afterwards, with Stuart Williams climbing highest at the far post to head in his first goal of the campaign.

Andy Coleman and Andy Furnell replaced Martin McNeil and Darren Jimson for the start of the second half, and the hosts went 4-0 up in the 57th minute.

Scott Johnson was upended by Tucker in the box and Jones converted the penalty, with Darren Jimson and Martin Bromwich having both missed from the spot recently.

Witham had their best spell of the game after this, but seldom looked dangerous whereas Soham remained lively up front and added a fifth goal with six minutes to go.

Substitute Furnell blasted Carter's pass into the net from 25-yards - his first goal of the season - and with two minutes remaining Furnell turned provider with a cross that Carter powered in with a close range header to make the final score 6-0.

Witham looked a very poor side and it is easy to see why they are struggling so badly in the league. Soham could easily have scored double-figures.

Their Second Qualifying Round opponents have yet to be announced, the tie being scheduled for Saturday November 1.

Striker Darren Jimson received a three-match ban for his dismissal in the Greens' recent league victory against Dunstable Town, which means he will miss the FA Trophy tie as well as the clashes with third-in-the-table Chasetown on Saturday (in the league) and Cambridge City next Tuesday (in the GX Southern League Cup).