The challenge of promotion was compounded by the fact that the Club would start its third ever season with its third ever manager. But under the management team of Alan Clark, Steve Paish and Spencer Keyes the team proved it could hold its own – finally finishing a creditable 11th out of 22. The Club also competed, for the first time, in the FA Vase winning through the first three rounds – eventually losing to Deal Town away. Further success was achieved in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup where Witney finally fell to Oxford City in the semi-finals. The 2005–06 season saw United enter the FA Cup for the first time and were very unlucky to bow out after a replay against Southern League high-fliers Clevedon Town. The FA Vase brought similar disappointment as they went out to Truro City at the second hurdle. In October 2005 Alan Clark resigned as 1st Team Manager and Spencer Keyes stepped up from Assistant Manager to replace him. Spencer’s first management move was to recruit Pete Lamont as his No. 2.