Next up – Biggleswade FC
Saturday, 3rd January at Wodson Park, SG12 0UQ.
Pitching in Southern League, Divison One (Central); kick off 3pm.
Admission
Admission (card preferred but cash accepted) – Adults £10, Concessions £5, under 14 free with paying adult otherwise £2.50.
Printed programme on the gate for £2.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://warefc.co.uk/product/ware-v-biggleswade/
Our opponents
Formed just nine years ago Biggleswade have made strides through the non-league pyramid and are now in their seventh season at Step 4. The first two were abandoned due to Covid but the most recent four seasons have seen them finish in the top half of the division each time. Second place was their best performance in 2022/3. Last season saw them reach the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup, losing 3-1 at home to York City. In only their third season after formation they reached the quarter finals of the FA Vase.
In all this time they have played without a permanent home. Currently they play their home games at Bedford Town’s Eyrie.
Form guide
Biggleswade come to this game seventh in the table, two places and two points behind us but with a game in hand. They lost their previous fixture 3-0 at home to Biggleswade Town and in fact have not won at home in four games, their last win at the Eyrie being in November. By contrast they are on a run of six consecutive away games in the league without defeat. That’s five wins and a draw so there can be no reason for complacency in the Ware ranks.
After last week’s impressive derby win Ware are very much on the up and unbeaten in their last five games. You can read Paul Halsey’s fulsome praise for his side, their preparation and execution at Hertford, in the programme on Saturday. It was our seventh consecutive away win over Hertford. The team is looking good with Max Granville and Josh Hutchinson now available this week. One possible problem is with Johnny Allotey who felt a twinge after he came on at Hertford for his first game in since November. He may be rested.
Previous Meetings
We first met in October 2022, a 3-0 away defeat. The return match saw us gain a 2-2 draw which set something of a trend being the first of five draws in our nine meetings. Both sides have won two of the remaining four games. We have yet to lose at home to Biggleswade, though our best win was away in the 2023 play-off semi-final when Brandon Adams, Dan Rumens. Theo Ofori and a home player scored in a 4-1 victory. Biggleswade had their revenge by 4-0 in the following league season, our worst result against them.
Commentary
Pete and Symon will be at the game if you can’t make it yourself. They’ll be broadcasting commentary from 2.55 at https://90minuteslivefootball.mixlr.com/events/4756158
Match officials
Our referee for this match is Stuart Lathan. The assistant referees are Jack Ridge and Terence Dawkins. Mr Dawkins was on the line when we beat Marlow 4-0 on 11th October. Might he be a good luck charm?
