The East Hertfordshire derby is one of the most important fixtures of the season for both Ware and Hertford Town, with neither side taking the league by storm so far this campaign. The 202nd meeting between the clubs offered both an opportunity to improve their league position. Hertford were looking to build on last Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Beaconsfield after a difficult run of results, while Ware hoped to carry their recent improvement into the derby. A victory over now eighth placed Marlow last Saturday, followed by a midweek draw against play-off contenders Stotfold, suggested that Ware’s fortunes may be beginning to turn after a disappointing start.
Hertford fielded an unchanged eleven while Ware manager Paul Halsey opted for two changes. Anthony Wordsworth took Khale Da Costa’s place in midfield after the latter picked up a hamstring problem in midweek, while Sam Mayuma, who had played thirty minutes against Stotfold in midweek, returned to the starting line-up in place of Reece Beckles-Richards.
Ware looked to exploit their height advantage during the opening exchanges through floated crosses and Jay Rolfe’s long throws, targeting Josh Hutchinson in the box. Theo Ofori and Jack Taylor found opportunities to deliver, although Hutchinson could not direct his headers on target and instead nodded wide. Fifteen minutes had passed before Ware goalkeeper Fred Burbidge was called into action, saving a low shot aimed towards his near post. Hertford favoured their left flank, where Jesus Mendoza and Marcus Painter operated, so the attack down the opposite side was a rare occasion when Matthew Ireland was beaten by his man.
The hosts grew into the game during the ten minutes leading up to the half-hour mark, creating more opportunities than they had in the opening stages. Ware soon responded at the other end, earning a corner that Wordsworth delivered perfectly onto Hutchinson’s head. The striker powered home a bullet header and despite Hertford’s attempts to keep the ball out, the assistant referee confirmed it had crossed Josh Bowler’s goal line.
Ware continued to apply pressure after breaking the deadlock, forcing errors and winning possession high up the pitch. Ben Herd’s pass was intercepted by Wordsworth, who laid the ball off to Hutchinson. The goalscorer then played Ofori through but his dink over the advancing Bowler drifted wide. Three yellow cards followed before the break as the individual battles intensified in the derby.
Halsey’s likely halftime instructions of preventing complacency and surviving the first fifteen minutes of the second-half without conceding was successful and Hertford struggled to break them down, prompting frustration among the home crowd. The hosts eventually found a way through the visitors’ defence when George Kingham found himself in acres of space on the right. His square ball was bravely intercepted by Ware captain Leigh Rose before Junior Morias could turn home the tap-in, allowing Burbidge to gather the loose ball.
Beyond the hour mark, Hertford enjoyed a spell of dominance and forced Burbidge into an impressive triple save to keep Ware ahead. The visitors could not rely on their goalkeeper alone for the remaining twenty-five minutes and Hertford soon drew level. Kingham and Morias linked up once more, with the unmarked striker finding the net.
Halsey responded by withdrawing Taylor and introducing the attack-minded Rechan Esprit into midfield. In the 73rd minute, Ware’s high press allowed Ofori to carry the ball into the penalty area but Fraser Findlay timed his block to perfection inside the six-yard box and diverted the effort behind for a corner. Wordsworth’s floated delivery found Rose at the back post after the captain broke away from a crowded six-yard box but his header went begging.
Ware enjoyed their own opportunities during the closing stages. With ten minutes remaining, Mayuma beat his man near the left byline and pulled the ball back into the path of Max Granville, whose powerful strike was headed clear by Mendoza. Four minutes later, Ireland displayed his recovery pace to win a free-kick and halt Painter’s progress. Soon after, Hutchinson’s delicate flick released Esprit from the halfway line. The substitute raced clear of his marker and reached the penalty area but fired wide of the target.
Against the run of play, Hertford struck in the third minute of stoppage time. Abdi Mohamud beat Ireland before turning inside Granville and crossing towards Morias, who headed past Burbidge to put the hosts on the brink of victory. Ware’s players collapsed to the ground as Hertford’s substitutes raced to join the celebrations near the corner flag.
Ware were not finished. From the restart, central defender Josh Okotcha was instructed to stay high in a last-ditch attempt to rescue a point at Hertingfordbury Park. In the 94th minute, a hopeful cross sailed over Hutchinson and Okotcha brought the ball under control before the defender turned striker stroked home a last-gasp equaliser. Ware’s celebrations matched the extravagance of Hertford’s moments earlier, although unsavoury scenes followed.
The draw extends Ware’s excellent record at Hertingfordbury Park, where Hertford have not won the East Hertfordshire derby since 2017. The point does little to change Ware’s league position, with Halsey’s side remaining second from bottom despite having a game or two in hand on those around them. Hertford, meanwhile, sit seventeenth, outside the relegation zone and will bemoan the late equaliser after missing the opportunity to strengthen their position with all three points. The return fixture at Wodson Park is eagerly anticipated.
Line-ups and cards
Ware: Fred Burbidge, Jay Rolfe, Matthew Ireland, Max Granville, Leigh Rose (C), Josh Okotcha, Theo Ofori, Jack Taylor (Rechan Esprit 69mins), Josh Hutchinson, Sam Mayuma, Anthony Wordsworth. Unused subs: Rylee Kitteringham, Riley Warmerdam, Reece Beckles-Richards, Herbie Townsend.
Yellow cards: Jack Taylor 36mins, Max Granville 44mins, Theo Ofori 85mins, Leigh Rose 94mins, Sam Mayuma 97mins.
Hertford Town: Josh Bowler, Abert McGregor (C), Jesus Mendoza, Keiran Barnes, Fraser Findlay (Harry Watson 74mins), Ben Herd, Abdi Mohamud, Kye Tearle, Junior Morias, George Kingham, Marcus Painter. Unused subs: Lawrence Ajong, Ronnie Brennan, Harry Chetwood, Patrick Matejko.
Yellow cards: Fraser Findlay 42mins, Junior Morias 97mins, Kye Tearle 97mins.
