Next up – Rayners Lane
Saturday, 27th September at Wodson Park.
Pitching in Southern League, Divison One (Central); kick off 3pm.
Admission
Admission (card preferred but cash accepted) – Adults £10, Concessions £5, under 14 free with paying adult otherwise £2.50.
Printed programme on the gate for £2.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://warefc.co.uk/product/ware-v-rayners-lane/
Our opponents
Rayners Lane arrived in our division on sideways transfer from the Isthmian League where they spent just one season in division one (south central). That was after promotion from the Combined Counties League following a second place in the premier division (north). Their first season at Step 4 saw them finish eleventh with 17 wins to 15 defeats and a goal difference of plus one.
They are the last of the three sides in our division who we have not met before in a league match. The season may be young but we have already visited London Lions and MK Irish. This one is at home though and we’ll be looking to carry forward the form from our last league game two weeks ago.
It wasn’t a league match but we have met Rayners Lane once before. We travelled to play them in a friendly on 28th April 1962 after the end of our formal fixtures. The result was a 1-1 draw with Don Suckling getting our goal.
Form guide
We will be without Jay Rolfe following his red card at MK Irish in our most recent league match though Max Woodford is available to return in goal. Apart from that I am unaware of any absences in the squad other than David Sota’s battle to return to fitness.
The Lane have won just one game so far this season – a 4-2 victory at Northwood so they are not without success on their travels. They lost at Hassocks in the FA Cup and went out of the FA Trophy on penalties away to VCD Athletic. Their four other league games have seen them lose at home to Biggleswade, Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City (all strong opponents) and away to London Lions where they took an early lead before leaking five goals.
So far we have had up and down results but after the fighting win in Milton Keynes two weeks ago confidence should be on the up. As in that game, we will be without Mitch Hahn who has joined Harlow Town and Lewis Thomas after his switch to Stotfold. Paul Halsey is looking to strengthen the side so there could well be a new name or two in our squad for this match.
Rechan Esprit
Playing for Binfield last season Rechan was in both league matches against Rayners Lane. Binfield lost both games and Rechan picked up a yellow in one of them.
Commentary
If you can’t get to the match, you can still tune in to the live commentary from Pete Hill and Symon Allemandy from 2.55pm at https://90minuteslivefootball.mixlr.com/events/4549594
The officials
The game will be under the watchful eye of referee Josh Crofts with the assistance of Oliver Humphreys and Marcus Baxter.
Youth team action on Sunday
There are two youth matches this Sunday at Wodson Park. At 10am the under-14s take on Cockfosters in a league match and then two hours later the under-17s meet St Margaretsbury, also for league points. Entry is free and the club room and tea bar will be open throughout.
