Goals galore as Ware continue their dismal home form.
Picture from the “90minuteslive” video of the game.
What description can there be for this game which was easily the craziest seen at Wodson Park since it was opened in 1995. It included probably the most amazing comeback in a Ware game since they overturned a two-goal deficit late on against Ford Sports to effectively clinch the Spartan League championship in 1953. Sadly, by contrast this result may well have condemned Ware’s promotion hopes. In any event it will live long in the memories of those who saw it though doubtless for different reasons depending on allegiances.
A game that had enough twists and turns from beginning to end of its regulation ninety minutes to satisfy any spectator exploded in added time. Both sides had traded the lead from as early as thirteen seconds into the game but when first Brandon Adams on 86 minutes and then Josh Williams on 90 had pulled Ware back in front at 4-3 it seemed just a matter of seeing out time.
But things were not going to be that straightforward. Within a minute of going behind Walthamstow were level when Bilal Sayoud completed his hat trick by heading home a ball across from the right that drifted over the Ware defence.
If that deflated the home team and its supporters worse was to follow just a minute later when Damaray Anyadike ghosted through a static defence to put his team back in the lead.
Ware went looking for salvation but Stow were happy to keep them at bay until the inevitable occurred. The ball was lost to Kai Davis who broke up field with Williams desperately trying to get back in touch. With other defenders streaming back it looked as though Davis would be forced into a dead end but, sensing time was of the essence, he shot, Burbidge blocked, the ball rebounded and Davis buried it at the second attempt.
All that went before those last hectic minutes of added time, that amazing turn of events, would have been excitement enough and deserve its own headline of superlatives. Straight from the kick off Walthamstow burst through the Ware defence. They appeared to have been stopped when Dan Rumens upended Callum Ibe but the referee allowed play to continue. Sayoud was the beneficiary, hitting the loose ball past Burbidge for a well struck opener.
When Declan Nche was booked for Rumen’s foul it was clear that it was going to be an interesting game. But for the goal it might have been a sending off.
Buoyed by the early goal Walthamstow pressed forward but Ware managed to hold fast and soon took a degree of control over their fortunes. Within ten minutes they were level. Jordon Watson, a Ware player at the start of the season but now captain of Walthamstow and playing like it, had been booked for a foul. Joel Jacobs swung the free kick in and Adams picked up a rebound from a defender to shoot past Bradley Robinson who was rooted to his goal line. Ware then took the lead with the visitors’ defence allowing Joe Dearman too much space to turn Rumens header past Robinson.
A couple of changes to the Walthamstow line up early in the second half suggested plans were being changed and it wasn’t long before they had an equaliser. Callum Ibe coasted in from the left before putting the ball across the face of the Ware goal to Duncan Culley who shot home.
Two minutes later Ware’s world was turned upside down as Watson walked through their defence when he should surely have been stopped, and then played Sayoud in for his second goal.
Ware’s response was immediate, leaving supporters to wonder why it was necessary to go behind before turning on the after burners. Liam Dulson’s fierce shot from outside the area was too hot for Robinson to keep hold of but he recovered in time to save Adams shot on the rebound. Adams didn’t miss his next chance after Leigh Rose’s header from Freddy Moncur’s pass found him six yards out and able to turn to blast the ball beyond Robinson.
Williams’ curling shot from the edge of the area seemed to have handed Ware the three points but even at 90 minutes the game’s final chapter was still to be written.
Despite this result Ware remain in the play-off places but time seems to be running out with a gaggle of opponents hovering just behind and ready to overhaul them. They can still turn things round and with Adams scoring three times in his first two games, goal scoring doesn’t seem to be a problem. Attention needs to turn to the defence which has now conceded ten goals in three games.
Ware: Fred Burbidge, Marcus Milner, Joel Jacobs, Leigh Rose, Chris Arthur, Dan Rumens, Theo Ofori, Declan Nche (Liam Dulson 75mins), Brandon Adams, Freddy Moncur, Joe Dearman (Josh Williams 85mins). Unused subs: Rechan Esprit, Tom Bruno, Rimmel Daniel.
