AFC Dunstable’s final visit to Wodson Park ended in heavy defeat as Ware produced an emphatic 8–0 victory to strengthen their late push for the play-off places. The OD’s, already relegated and set to merge with Dunstable Town next season, arrived depleted and out of form, while the Blues, despite recent injury concerns and a difficult result earlier in the week, had enough quality to deliver the expected response.
Since the turn of the year, AFC Dunstable had lost thirteen of their previous fourteen matches, scoring just twice and conceding seventy-nine. Ware manager Paul Halsey responded to his side’s recent setback by making six changes. Gabriel Ward and Josh Okotcha came into a rotated defence alongside Leigh Rose and Jay Rolfe. Gucci Soulya (pictured) kept his place in midfield, joined by Rechan Esprit and Sami Moutawafiq, who returned for his first start since February. Theo Ofori and Johnny Allotey were introduced on the wings, leaving Sam Mayuma and Reece Beckles-Richards on the bench.
Ware controlled possession early and took the lead fourteen minutes in. Johnny Allotey stretched to turn home Theo Ofori’s low delivery after the winger beat his man on the byline. AFC Dunstable suffered an early setback soon after when Michael Brako was forced off through injury, replaced by Alfie Carrington. The change did little to slow a short spell of encouragement for the visitors. A clever delivery from a corner caught Ware off guard and led to a shot dragged wide. Not long after, another opening from the edge of the box forced Fred Burbidge into a sharp save to his right.
The tempo soon dropped, with much of the half played at a slower pace. Soulya found space to dictate possession, linking well with Esprit, whose flicks and touches added creativity in the final third. Moutawafiq provided balance at the base of midfield. Halsey, though, demanded more from his side as the interval approached.
Ware made a sharp start to the second half. A dangerous square ball across goal was left untouched and eventually cleared off the line. That tension did not last long. Moutawafiq was fouled just outside the box and Esprit stepped up to curl a precise free kick into the top right corner, beyond goalkeeper Noah Vaughan.
The second goal opened the game up. Ware pressed forward with greater intent, creating chances through Soulya and Allotey before extending their lead again. Josh Hutchinson reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and finished well to make it three, effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
The Blues continued to build momentum. Ofori added a fourth before the hour mark, finishing a slick move that developed down the right. Soon after, a quick free kick found Soulya, who set Esprit, and his deflected effort made it five and capped a dominant spell. Soulya’s influence throughout was clear, his performance coming to an end shortly after as he made way for Mayuma.
Beckles-Richards entered the action and made an instant impact. The substitute was booked before calmly finishing to add a sixth. Allotey remained a constant threat on the flank, driving at defenders and stretching play. Despite the scoreline, Vaughan produced a number of strong saves to limit further damage under sustained pressure.
Ware’s dominance continued into the closing stages. Captain Leigh Rose climbed highest to head home and add another to his tally against familiar opposition. Having also found the net in the sides’ first friendly encounter, where he struck a hat trick, and a goal in their first ever league meeting this final game had seen him do it again. It ought in that case to have been the last goal in the series of meetings against the ODs. Instead, there was no stopping Esprit who struck an injury time free kick low beyond the wall to seal his hat trick and an eighth goal for the Blues.
In front of 191 at Wodson Park, Ware delivered a complete performance and kept things tight at the back to secure Burbidge’s clean sheet. The result, Ware’s best since the 10-1 success over Wantage in 2021, leaves the Blues seventh, two points behind Hertford Town. A play-off place remains mathematically possible, though it would require a near-perfect finish to the season.
Line-ups and cards
Ware: Fred Burbidge, Gabriel Ward, Josh Okotcha, Sami Moutawafiq, Leigh Rose (C), Jay Rolfe, Theo Ofori, Rechan Esprit, Josh Hutchinson (Reece Beckles-Richards 61mins), Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo (Sam Mayuma 61mins), Johnny Allotey. Unused subs: Max Granville, Jack Taylor, Finlay Titchmarsh.
Yellow card: Reece Beckles-Richards 70mins
AFC Dunstable: Noah Vaughan, Aaron Addy (Tyrelle Joseph 59mins), Wallace Clark, James Doherty (C) (Flynn O’Connor 61mins), Jamie De Beer, Benjamin Burt, Cyril Mensah, Jeremy Amissah, Shea Greene, Euan Warlow (Christopher Carter 66mins), Michael Brako (Alfie Carrington 19mins). Unused sub: Jude Slough
Yellow card: Jamie De Beer 83mins
