So, it’s five wins and 30 goals each as these two sides continue to wrestle for an advantage over the other. Of more immediate import it was Ware’s third draw in the three league games so far this season.
On the one hand these points have been gained against fancied teams. Thame, the latest, were play-off contestants last season and expected to be there or there abouts again. Against that is the frustration of not being able so far to get more than a point in each of those games. A particular concern being Ware’s inability to keep the ball out of their net.
Defensive lapses accounted for two of Thame’s goals in this match. With centre back Jack Grosvenor on the injured list and both starting fullbacks in this game taken off with injuries it might be thought excusable. The fact remains that Ware have conceded eight goals in their opening games and that isn’t good enough if they want to challenge for league honours. A porous defence was a main concern when Paul Halsey spoke after the match.
Halsey’s team started well enough in this game forcing a succession of corners and having two good chances cleared from in front of goal. Things seemed to be going their way until the fifteenth minute.
Thame’s Edwin Daffern had a good game for the home side and it was his cross that was at the root of the opening goal. Harry Alexander failed to properly control it but Ware’s clearance dropped to Jack Tutton who made no mistake with a low, first time shot.
You expect goals to come as a reward at the end of a spell of good play. This one came at the beginning, the home side slowly taking over and having the better of things by the end of the half. Still, they had a reward for that as well, a second goal coming in the forty fourth minute.
This time a through ball to Curtis Brown on the right ended with a cross into Ware’s six yard area where there were three defenders in front of Fred Burbidge. Yet it was Daffern who stole in to hammer the ball into the top of the net.
That might have been it but in added time Ware forced a corner on their left. Jack Taylor looped it in and as the ball swung towards goal James Callan, the former Hertford keeper, could only get a touch that did little other than help the ball into the net.
It was just the lift that Ware needed and they came out looking a different side after the break. Within five minutes they were level. Gucci Soulya’s drive through the middle released Sam Mayuma on the left where he turned to lay the ball into the centre. Khale Da Costa’s anticipation was perfect and he met the pass on the volley, sweeping it into the net.
Ware could have now taken control of the game and six minutes later two more chances fell to Da Costa but both were sent wide. Instead, and almost immediately after, Thame broke up field where a defensive header gave the ball to Alexander who played the ball into Daffern’s path. The number seven did well to lift his shot past Burbidge to regain the lead for the home side.
It was a setback but Ware came again. With little more than ten minutes left Gabe Ward’s cross was headed on by Josh Hutchinson and there was Josh Okotcha coming onto the ball in the area. Alexander was also closing on the situation but his attempted clearance brought Okotcha down. There was no doubt in the referee’s mind and he awarded the penalty.
Without an Ofori or Beckles-Richards on the pitch who might take the kick? After a delay for Okotcha to be treated Hutchinson took the responsibility. It was his first penalty for Ware but after the shortest of run ups he confidently sent the ball in the opposite direction to Callan’s dive.
A point had been saved and Ware remain unbeaten so far. They have weathered the storm of a difficult looking opening set of games but will have to do something about conceding more than two goals a game.
Line-ups and cards
Ware: Fred Burbidge, Finlay Titchmarsh (Gabriel Ward 31mins), David Sota (Ekow Coker 70mins), Herbie Townsend (C) (Rechan Esprit 66mins), Josh Okotcha, Anthony Wordsworth, Khale Da Costa, Jack Taylor (75mins), Josh Hutchinson, Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo, Theo Ofori (Sam Mayuma 45mins). Unused sub: Leigh Rose.
Yellow cards: Gucci Khale Da Costa 27mins, Soulya-Osekanongo 43mins, Rechan Esprit 91mins.
Thame United: James Calian, Callum Hall, Joshua Stranks, Finlay Murray, Hayden Beadle (Jamie Davies 78mins), Mark Riddick (C), Edwin Daffern (Charlie Bacon 79mins), Jack Tutton, Curtis Brown (Charlie Stow 79mins), Daniel West, Harry Alexander. Unused sub: Luke Tingey.
Yellow cards: Mark Riddick 17mins, Jack Tutton 65mins.
