There was some irony in the fact that Ware conceded just one goal (the joint best this season) with an outfield player between the posts. With Fred Burbidge still not match fit and Zack Braverman returned to Chesham, Anthony Wordsworth took over in goal. His manager Paul Halsey said he was superb but also agreed that he wasn’t put under too much trouble by the home side.
For that he could thank the defence for a solid performance. They played like lions said Halsey and commended the midfield for a solid performance with the forwards “great in attack”. A good enough performance for Halsey to spare the substitutes sitting on the bench.
Ware opened the scoring from Reece Beckles-Richards after 35 minutes. Sam Mayuma doubled the lead ten minutes later and the game was made safe as it turned out by Rechan Esprit’s great free kick just before the hour mark.
Both sides picked up two cautions plus a red card each. Beckles-Richards was Ware’s offender in a clash with Jake Watts.
Ware move on to meet Chesham United in Buckinghamshire. It won’t be the clubs first FA Cup game there. They lost 6-0 in the preliminary round of 17th September 1932 almost 94 years to the day before the upcoming second qualifying round game.
Fed Burbidge will be training on Thursday but if still not fit enough, Halsey says he has no qualms about drafting Wordsworth back between the posts.
Line-ups and cards
Ware: Anthony Wordsworth, Finlay Titchmarsh, David Sota, Max Granville (C), Jack Grosvenor, Ekow Coker, Theo Ofori, Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo, Reece Beckles-Richards (88mins), Rechan Esprit, Sam Mayuma. Unused subs: Khale Da Costa, Leigh Rose, Herbie Townsend, Josh Okotcha, Leon Theodoropoulos, Rylee Kitteringham, Jay Rolfe.
Yellow cards: Gucci Soulya 62mins, Rechan Esprit 82mins.
Red card: Reece Beckles-Richards 86mins.
Fakenham Town: Luke Pearson, Oser Okpiabhele, Lewis Bonner (Arie Sawyer 72mins), Alfie Doy, Dylan Coslett, Jayden Wright (Charlie Mayhew 15mins), Luke Allen (Krzysztof Michta 72mins), Finn Whiteley, Jake Watts, Mitch Rasberry (C), Ewan Morahan. Unused sub: Jake Poore, Kaiden Fialho, Jose Junior.
Yellow cards: Jaiden Wright 6mins, Lewis Bonner 54mins.
Red card: Jake Watts 86mins
