A late goal denied Ware their first ever league win at Biggleswade Town. It didn’t help that it was Coree Wilson’s mishit shot that ricocheted off the sun hardened turf to loop over everyone in the penalty area to find the net. How Ware might have wished for the rain drenched pitch from their last visit to Langford Road.
That said it would be hard to deny the home side a share of the spoils after they had come back from two goals down to have the better of the second half. Ware will have to remind themselves that a draw against one of the fancied sides in the division would have been a perfectly acceptable aim before kick-off.
The Waders, in search of an improvement on last season’s fourth place finish, fielded almost a completely new squad for this game. Compared to the sixteen chosen when these two last met at Wodson Park in March it was ironic that only Wilson had survived the pre-season cull.
That might explain why Ware enjoyed a certain amount of freedom in the opening minutes with Sam Mayuma in particular the beneficiary. As early as the first minute the Ware number eleven was quickly past Town’s captain Fernando Bell-Toxtle and was only stopped at the expense of a cornar.
Khale Da Costa took the kick and dropped the ball beyond the far post where Josh Okotcha’s downward header was finger tipped onto his post by Ashton Broome-Alexander. The rebound was skied by Aaron Hector and dropped from considerable height to the waiting Okotcha whose deft header found the net.
It was a well taken goal to add to what would be a good defensive performance by the centre back who twice made tackles to deny clear goal scoring opportunities for the Waders.
The home side were looking all at sea in these opening stages and after nine minutes Mayuma was put through and momentarily beyond Bel-Toxtle by Da Costa’s pass. His cross from the goal line was met at the far side of the six yard area by the unmarked Theo Ofori whose header doubled Ware’s lead.
The game might have been put beyond the home side after twelve minutes when Mayuma was put through by Herbie Townsend’s pass; but, in a sign that the Waders might be getting themselves together the Ware man was forced wide by Bell-Toxtle and couldn’t get his shot on target.
There were half chances after that but as the half drew towards its end the home side were starting to build some pressure. Even so it was a long range ball upfield from near his penalty area by Bell-Toxtle that caught out the Ware defence. Lord Munsoh was on to it with all the confidence necessary to carry it forward and find the net off the bar.
The second half was a different affair as the Wader’s came looking for an equaliser. Ware held firm at the back but there were times when they looked ragged in trying to build something going forward.
Both sides started to turn to their substitutes which for Ware included Ekow Coker, last seen in a Ware shirt in the 2023/4 season. He’s been at both Step 3 and Step 5 since then and remains an imposing figure at the back as Ware held on to their lead.
Worries that we might see a repeat of the last twenty minutes of England’s World Cup semi-final never materialised and Ware might have increased their lead on occasions. With five minutes left Rechan Esprit broke through only to see his shot deflected into the side netting. Instead it was Wilson who had the last word.
Line-ups and cards
No cards were issued in this match which was well refereed by Mr Demo on his Step 4 debut.
Ware: Fred Burbidge, Finlay Titchmarsh, David Sota, Herbie Townsend (C), Josh Okotcha, Jack Grosvenor (Ekow Coker 60mins), Theo Ofori (Rechan Esprit 70mins), Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo (Jack Taylor 60mins), Josh Hutchinson (Reece Beckles-Richards 74mins), Khale DaCosta, Sam Mayuma Unused sub: Max Granville
Biggleswade Town: Ashton Broome-Alexander, Adam Turner, Alexander Coppin, Fernando Bell-Toxtle (C), Daniel Sears, Rio Dasilva, Ryan Neufville (Chinedu Osadebe 74mins), Callum Mullins (Sam Hope 55mins), Coree Wilson, Aaaron Hector, Lord Munsoh (Taylor Rhiney 62mins). Unused subs: Lee Watkins, Rafe Goodman.
