Next up – Marlow
Saturday, 7th February at Alfred Davis Memorial Ground, Oak Tree Rd, Marlow, Bucks SL7 3EE
Pitching in Southern League, Divison One (Central); kick off 3pm.
Admission
Adults – £12, Concession – £8, Youth (13-18) – £5, Junior (6-12) – £2. Half-time admission: Adults – £6, Concession – £4, Youth (13-18) – £2, Junior (6-12) – £1
Our opponents
Founded in 1870, a whole twenty-two years before Ware, Marlow entered the first ever FA Cup in 1871 but lost in the first round. Undaunted, ten seasons later they progressed to the semi-final. They didn’t have any comparable success until 1992/3 when they reached the third round and met Tottenham Hotspur, losing 5-1 at White Hart Lane after the tie was switched from the Alfred Davis ground.
In between those pinacles they enjoyed league success in the Isthmian premier division but dropped to Step 4 and even for one season to Step 5 in the Hellenic League. By last season they were back at Step 3 but it was a one-season stay as just five wins from 42 games in the Southern League premier (south) saw them come back alongside us in division one (central).
Form guide
Their two most recent games brought six points and lifted Marlow clear of the relegation places. You may think that a 3-1 win at second from bottom Rayners Lane and a 2-1 home success over third from bottom Northwood is not such an achievement, expecially coming as they did after five successive defeats. Then again we recently lost at home to struggling Enfield and are still looking for our first win of 2026.
We may be nine points and eight places above Marlow and with a game in hand but this will surely be a close encounter. The home side hoping to consolidate their recent improvement and Ware looking to snap back into form means it could be anyone’s game. That’s if it happens at all. The weather isn’t great but Marlow sound confident that it will go ahead. We will keep you abreast of any changes via social media.
There is no news of any new injuries in Paul Halsey’s squad but I understand that Finlay Titchmarsh will soon be removing the plaster from his hand and that Sam Mayuma has started training again which will please those supporters who have been asking after him.
Previous Meetings
We first met on 29th November 1952 in the Spartan League Premier Division. A home game won by 3-1, our scorers being Cyril Long with two and Ron Wilkinson.
The most recent was at Wodson Park on 11th October this season. A 4-0 win with two goals from Reece Beckles-Richards, and one each from Theo Ofori and Sam Mayuma.
Over all we have met 25 times in the Spartan, Athenian and Isthmian Leagues plus one league cup match and and an FA Cup second qualifying round game. Ware have won thirteen of these and lost seven scoring 59 goals and conceding 34.
Commentary
Pete and Symon will be at the game. You can hear their commentary from 2.55pm at https://90minuteslivefootball.mixlr.com/events/4805108
Match Officials
The referee for this match is Nick Reece. The assistant referees are Daniel Merrall and Jake Martin.
Complete your weekend football with Sunday’s youth games
Entry is free and the club room and tea bar are open throughout the Eastern Junior Alliance games we have at the Park on Sunday. Some future first teamers might well be playing. At 10am the under-16s meet Ilford, followed at midday by the under-17s against Cheshunt and then at 2pm the under-18s face Wingate & Finchley.
