Home supporters seemed to be pretty unanimous that this was a game that Ware should have won. Yet maybe the 1-1 draw was written in the stars. In three home games against Beaconsfield Ware have scored just one goal each time.
They had the better of the first half and then mounted a grand stand finish at the end of the game. But Beaconsfield held firm. If it looked like the home forwards were just unlucky with a number of chances the visitors will argue that determined, solid defending was the reason.
The last fifteen minutes saw Ware mounting almost continuous attacks. So much so that both central defenders were up in the opposition penalty area with just one of the full backs hovering around the centre circle in case of a break out.
During this period Reece Beckles-Richards hit a post, one of a few good chances in a game where he was well marshalled by the defence. Keeper Joshua Welland also made a number of crucial stops. None was more significant than a double save to prevent a Beckles-Richards’ shot and then a Theo Ofori follow up at the foot of his post as Ware piled on the pressure.
But Ware had left it late, too late as it turned out. They had their chances in the first half especially after Sam Mayuma’s early goal. A week before he had taken the ball down the left and cut across the penalty area to to score. This time, on the end of Jack Grosvenor’s free kick, Mayuma again on the left outpaced Alex Peapell and then came in almost along the goal line before shooting home from the very narrowest of angles.
Mayuma had two more chances in the half when first he headed Beckles-Richards’ cross just wide and then had a shot tipped round the post. Welland was giving an early indication of his ability.
As Ware failed to consolidate their lead an equaliser began to look possible and it came with three minutes of normal time left before the break. Peapell’s through ball found Manuchin Oke-Williams on the edge of the penalty area. The number nine moved in and got his shot away just before Finlay Titchmarsh reached him. Max Woodford was wrong footed and Beaconsfield had their equaliser.
The scorer wasn’t a surprise. Oke-Williams and Zidan Akers had both caused problems at other times in the half and went on to do so in the second until they were withdrawn. During that period the match had become a lot more even allowing the two danger men to fashion more openings.
However, the pace of the game seemed to take its toll on the visitors and Ware pressure grew. But it was not to be. Ware continue to play good, entertaining football and shouldn’t be disappointed by this result. Things had started to look a little too easy in recent matches so meeting strong opponents was a timely reminder that it can’t always be that way.
One disappointment however was the injury to Jack Grosvenor. A robust challenge that included an elbow in the ribs left him in significant pain as he limped from the action. We have yet to learn what his prospects are for an immediate or early return to the first team.
Lineups and cards:
Ware: Max Woodford, Finlay Titchmarsh, George Alfieri, Max Granville (Sami Moutawafiq 65mins), Jack Grosvenor (C) (Bendie Idikayi 72mins), Josh Okotcha, Theo Ofori, Herbie Townsend (Gabriel Chapps 87mins), Reece Beccles-Richards, Rechan Esprit, Sam Mayuma. Unused sub: Caiden Remy-Dee, Jay Rolfe.
Cards: None
Beaconsfield Town: Joshua Welland, James Dobson (C), Jacques Kpohomouh, Luke Neville, Aidan Akers (Jamie Davies 78mins), Manuchim Oke-William (Ade Gbolahan 67mins), Joshua Marcon (Zak Fraser-Grante 46mins), Ollie Turner, Joshua Stranks, Alex Peapell, Jedidiah Brown-Johnson. Unused subs: Tommy Dymott, Louis Udeh.
Yellow cards: James Dobson 77mins, Joshua Stranks 94mins.
