Next up – Hadley
Saturday, 10th October at Wodson Park, SG12 0UQ.
Pitching-in Southern League division one central; kick off 3pm.
Admission
Admission (contactless preferred but cash accepted) – Adults £10, Concessions £5, under 14s free with paying adult otherwise £2.50.
Gates open at 1.30pm.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://warefc.co.uk/product/ware-v-hadley/
The match
This game brings together two sides not used to being in the relegation zone. Both will be hoping for success especially Ware who, despite having made progress in both the FA Cup and Trophy, are still looking for a first league win.
Form guide
Hadley have lost nine of eleven cup and league games so far with just one win and one draw but remain something of a jinx side to us. Ware have lost six of their 15 games this season with the balance made up by three wins and six draws. In league terms both sides are on four points though Hadley have played two games more. Advantage Ware you might think but the absence of a league win could be a weight to carry into the game.
Previous Meetings
What stands out from the twelve recent games between us are the four where we went without a regular keeper for most or all of the ninety minutes. With Fred Burbidge and Ben Nightingale unfit, midfielder Michael Toner went between the posts for the Wodson Park meeting on 23rd Novmebr 2023. Fred was injured again in the game on Septemeber 14th 2024 and didn’t return for the second half. Defender Lewis Thomas took over and did so again but for 85 minutes almost a year later after Max Woodford was sent off. Finally in January this year youth teamer Logan Timothy played when Woodford was recalled at short notice by Stevenage to sit on the bench at Exeter City. We lost three of those four games though won 4-2 in the first.
With Fred back in the team but already having missed a number of games through injury we might be a little nervous of the jinx striking again. Bubble wrap and cotton wool have been despatched to Fred as a precaution. He should be safe in his cocoon.
Commentary
Pete and Symon will be commentating on the game from 2.55 onwards. Catch them at https://90minuteslivefootball.mixlr.com/events/5362384
Match Officials
Our referee for this match is Benjamin Twitchings. The assistant referees are Marcus Baxter who ran the line at Wodson Park twice last season for the games against Rayners Lane and Leverstock Green as well as the match away to Leverstock; and Andrew Wheaton who was at the Christmas game at Hertford and our home game with Biggleswade Town. We hope they like their revamped dressing room.
