This was a highly entertaining game that had Ware within three minutes of ending Leighton’s unbeaten league record. It would be hard to deny the visitors a share of the points but after recent setbacks the Blues’ performance was hugely encouraging. Jack Grosvenor hopes to be back soon so things may now be moving in the right direction.
Ware’s performance was one of a hundred present effort, the kind of commitment that home supporters have come to expect from Paul Halsey’s sides. Whilst Leighton were initially composed and spread the ball around confidently the home side took every opportunity to unsettle them.
Close marking and snapping at the heels tended to disrupt the men in red and Ware were quick to exploit these opportunities. Too quick on one occasion when Finlay Titchmarsh brought down Tolu Ikuyinminu for a yellow card. Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo was quickly in to defuse a situation among the players that might have boiled over.
One late tackle apart the combative nature of the game persisted for much of the time but was sandwiched between two goals at either end of the ninety minutes.
Ware opened the scoring after seven minutes. Sami Moutawafiq’s free kick from out on the Ware right in front of the visitors’ technical area was floated in towards the far post where Josh Okotch headed it towards goal. The ball was hacked clear but only as far as Reece Beckles-Richards His shot appeared to go through several pairs of legs and into the net.
Ware held on to the lead almost to the end. There were times when it looked as though they were about to improve on it and other times when an equaliser looked possible. Both sides were working hard for the next goal no doubt in the belief that it would settle the outcome of the game one way or another.
On those occasions when Ware were pegged back into their own half Leighton weren’t able to make much of their possession. Max Woodford, returning for his first game in seven matches wasn’t overly troubled until almost the end of the half. Then a fingertip save at the foot of his post kept the goal intact from Godlove Oppong’s shot. Otherwise, he seemed to be in his element dealing with crosses and corners.
At the other end of the pitch there seemed to be more clear cut chances for Ware but too often blocked in goalmouth scrambles or cleared before they developed any real danger. Soon after Woodford’s save Dan Hosier was in action palming away before gathering Moutawafiq’s fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The second half followed a similar pattern until towards the close of the match Leighton began to pin Ware back and their corner count mounted. In the end though it was Anthony Ball’s cross from the Ware left that did the damage two minutes into added time. It found the waiting Oppong near the penalty spot who cushioned the ball with his right foot before hitting it on the half volley into the top of the net.
The contrasting scenes on the pitch told their own story of elation and dejection. The latter for Ware who had been on the cusp of becoming the first side to inflict a league defeat on Leighton. Despite their disappointment what they can take from this game is the realisation that, after several disapponting results, the current injury problems can be overcome.
Can they continue to produce this form? We will have a better idea on Tuesday when they travel to Barton Rovers though Titchmarsh broke his hand in this game and will be unavailable.
Line-ups and cards.
Ware: Max Woodford, Finlay Titchmarsh, David Sota, Sami Moutawafiq, Josh Okotcha, Jay Rolfe, Theo Ofori, Max Granville (Rechan Esprit 84mins), Reece Beccles-Richards (C) (Caiden Remy-Dee 85mins), Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo, Johnny Allotey. Unused subs: Gabriel Chapps, Josip Jevdic, Bendie Idikayi.
Yellow cards: Finlay Titchmarsh 18mins, Theo Ofori 42mins, Josh Okotcha 60mins.
Leighton Town: Daniel Hosier, Luke Pyman, Tolu Ikuyinminu, Charlie Pattison, Sam McClelland (Anthony Ball 60mins), Lewis Thorpe (C), Kyal Williams, Jack Sayell (BJ Christie 60mins), Sydney Ibie, Godlove Oppong, Rio DaSilva (Leo Farruch 60mins). Unused subs: Ben Farrell, Daniel Tagoe.
Yellow card: Rio DaSilva 51mins.
