Next up – Brightlingsea Regent
Saturday, 29th August at Wodson Park, SG12 0UQ.
The FA Trophy first qualifying round; kick off 3pm.
Admission
Admission (contactless preferred but cash accepted) – Adults £10, Concessions £5, under 14 free with paying adult otherwise £2.50.
Printed programme on the gate for £2. This is a joint edition also covering Monday’s league game against Welwyn Garden City.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://warefc.co.uk/product/ware-v-brightlingsea/
The match
The FA Trophy is a competition in which we have a poor record. I harbour the feeling that because of that we will one day make amends and go some distance through the rounds. Might this be the season? Our longest winning sequence was in 1979 when we went three games scoring seven goals without conceding any. The victims were Cambrifge City, Wisbech and Aveley. The run was ended by, speak it softly, our near neighbours. Brightlingsea’s best is two consecutive games undefeated though they have spent far fewer seasons in the Trophy than us. This is their thirteenth.
If the match is drawn at ninety minutes the tie will be decided by a penalty shoot out. We have lost two ties in that way, home to Canvey Island (6-7) in 2021 and Newmarket in 2024 (2-4).
Despite there being no replacement to Isuzu who have ceased their sponsorship of the Trophy there’s still £1,500 from the prize fund for the winners of this tie and £400 for the losers.
Form guide
Regent were knocked out of the FA Cup by 3-1 at Step 5 Histon but drew their next two games in the league before their midweek game at Little Oakley.
Ware continue unbeaten after their victory over Leverstock Green in the FA Cup. It was more comprehensive than the 5-3 scoreline suggests but on the down side we lost keeper Fred Burbidge to injury. We await good news on the injury or the signing of a replacement. Our last win in the competition was in 2023 by 3-0 away to Maldon & Tiptree.
Previous Meetings
Just four previous meetings, all in the Istmian League division one (north). A win apiece in 2014/5 with Kieran Bishop and Murat Karagul scoring in our 2-1 home win before two comprehsive defeats in 2016/7 by an eight nil aggregate. At the time Regent were on their way to promotion to Step 3.
Commentary
Pete and Symon will be at Wodson Park for those who can’t make the game. Their commentary will start at 2.55 and can be found at https://90minuteslivefootball.mixlr.com/events/5249543
Match Officials
A welcome to all three match officials for this match. Our referee is Matthew Childs and the assistants are Daniel Smith and Andrew McEwan.
