AFC Sudbury were in town to face Ware in the FA Trophy for the first time in ten seasons. Currently third from bottom of the Isthmian League North Division, The Yellows earned their first league victory last weekend and were looking to carry that momentum into a competition they have historically thrived in, having gone beyond the qualifying stages six times. Ware’s morale was also boosted by the long-awaited return of Fred Burbidge from injury, one of three changes made to Paul Halsey’s starting eleven. The backline did not consist of an orthodox fullback, although it soon became apparent that Halsey had opted for Jay Rolfe and Max Granville to fill the respective positions. Higher up the pitch, Reece Beckles-Richards spearheaded the attack instead of Josh Hutchinson, with Sam Mayuma and Theo Ofori alongside him.
Within the opening five minutes, Beckles-Richards recorded the game’s first open-play scoring opportunity courtesy of Gucci Soulya, although the falling striker was unable to trouble AFC Sudbury goalkeeper Finley Iron. Ten minutes later, The Suds came close with a square ball across the face of goal but Rolfe read the cutback and cleared convincingly. The early phases of the knockout fixture required a moment of quality to overcome a relatively scrappy affair and Ofori provided it as he received the ball centrally on the halfway line before powering towards goal and beating multiple defenders. A neat pass from The Blues’ winger unlocked the visitors’ defence and Mayuma was through on goal but the number eleven was denied his fifth goal of the season by Iron.
On the twentieth-minute mark, Ware’s patience in possession was rewarded by another special sequence of play. Ofori’s tidy footwork allowed him to wriggle free from a crowd of defenders before he unleashed a stunning power shot that struck the roof of the net. The moment of magic inspired the home side to seek a second before the break and Burbidge’s goal kick was pumped forwards before eventually landing with Soulya, who once again played through Beckles Richards. Iron closed down the angle before the Ware man could set himself, although The Blues’ chances continued to arrive thick and fast.
Beckles-Richards successfully rounded the goalkeeper but was unable to hit the target from the byline before his involvement in the buildup to Ware’s second proved more fruitful. The Blues’ top goalscorer last year replicated Hutchinson’s natural ability to get involved in the side’s buildup play as his pass met the run of Rechan Esprit, who calmly slotted home Ware’s second inside thirty-four minutes. AFC Sudbury struggled to find any sustained rhythm at times, although Kaidon Tower-King refused to play out the first half without a fight. The Yellows’ number eleven timed his run in behind Granville and fizzed a low cross into the danger zone but the ball was directed behind for a goal kick without purposeful contact.
In the second half, Sudbury manager Phil Weavers attempted to offer his forward men further support through the introduction of Alexander Kerr. It was Ofori who continued to pose the greater threat, however, stinging the hands of the diving Iron before Kerr could contribute to the visitors’ attack. Ofori’s afternoon ended soon after that attempt and Hutchinson’s arrival pushed Beckles-Richards out wide to the right flank. The substitute was involved almost immediately on the edge of the box when space opened up for the striker to try his luck, although Iron impressively tipped the effort over the crossbar.
AFC Sudbury eventually overcame the storm of one-way traffic and attempted to find their way back into the tie, forcing Burbidge into action from close range as he held out a strong wrist to preserve his clean sheet. Ware’s number one was not called upon frequently during his return, although the same could not be said for Iron, who emerged as the visitors’ standout performer between the sticks. Once more, The Suds’ goalkeeper was up to the task with fifteen minutes remaining as he clawed away Mayuma’s acrobatic effort.
Iron soon received some hard-earned respite and Burbidge was then responsible for putting a lid on the prospect of a late scare. Ekow Coker mistimed his challenge for the ball inside the eighteen-yard box and gave away a penalty in the final minutes of the ninety. Burbidge got behind Reuben Chinnery’s tame effort from the spot to achieve Ware’s first clean sheet of the season on his welcome return, while simultaneously summing up a miserable afternoon for AFC Sudbury.
The spot kick rounded off the knockout clash as Ware comfortably beat AFC Sudbury for the second time ever at Wodson Park. The Blues are now in the draw for the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round and could be on their way to a historic first appearance in the competition’s Proper Rounds if they can win their next tie.
Line-ups and cards
Ware: Fred Burbidge, Max Granville, Jay Rolfe, Herbie Townsend (C) (Anthony Wordsworth 88mins), Jack Grosvenor, Ekow Coker, Theo Ofori (Josh Hutchinson 60mins), Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo (Jack Taylor 60mins), Reece Beckles-Richards, Rechan Esprit, Sam Mayuma. Unused subs: Leigh Rose, Josh Okotcha.
Yellow cards: Jack Grosvenor 67mins, Josh Hutchinson 79mins.
AFC Sudbury: Finley Iron, Oliver Reynolds, Jordan Barnett (Charlie Oxborrow 45mins), George Chenery, Kyran Clements (C), Reuben Chinery, Callum Anderson (Archie Jolland 78mins), Scott Sloots, Kaidon Tower-King (Alexander Kerr 52mins), Eddie Barker, George Keys. No unused subs.
No cards issued to AFC Sudbury.
