By Jay Lindsell
Two sides short on points and desperate to find them met at opposite ends of the table. Ware, in need of a lift, were looking to improve on the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the start of November. For manager-less Northwood, the pressure was greater still, sitting five points from safety before kick-off. The Woods had won just twice in twelve outings, although a victory away at Rayners Lane meant they had taken more from their recent run than the Blues’ single point across the same stretch. The head-to-head offered little to separate them, with seven wins apiece from the previous seventeen meetings.
This marked Ware’s fifth home fixture of 2026 and brought the long-awaited return of Sam Mayuma. Ware manager Paul Halsey had spoken of absentees in recent weeks, so Mayuma’s reintroduction, after featuring from the bench at Hitchin, was a welcome boost. David Sota also returned to the starting fold. Gabriel Ward and Gucci Soulya dropped to the bench, both later introduced.
Referee Oliver Potter had barely settled into the contest before Northwood picked Ware’s pocket and forced the first save from Ware goalkeeper Fred Burbidge. The Blues responded quickly, regaining possession high up the pitch but firing over the crossbar, much to Halsey’s visible frustration at the delay in pulling the trigger. A Northwood effort from distance soon clipped the roof of Burbidge’s net, capping a frantic opening ten minutes. As the half progressed, Ware struggled to find fluency, their final ball too often overhit.
The game drifted into a stop-start rhythm. Northwood’s Carl Stewart was shown a yellow card after sweeping the legs of Ware midfielder Sami Moutawafiq, one of several interruptions that prevented either side from building momentum. Moutawafiq and Mayuma were also cautioned before the break, adding to a growing list in Potter’s notebook. The referee’s whistle became a recurring feature of the first half.
The breakthrough arrived just before the interval. Ware forward Reece Beckles-Richards, frequently isolated on the right, drove at Northwood goalkeeper Alfie Bonfield and rounded him. Potter pointed to the spot after judging Bonfield to have brought him down. Beckles-Richards stepped up and struck the penalty firmly down the middle. Bonfield dived to his right. Twenty goals for the season. Given Northwood had conceded 36 times in second halves prior to this contest, there was reason for home optimism despite the narrow lead.
No changes followed the restart, though Halsey adjusted the positioning of Mayuma and Beckles-Richards, narrowing both wide players. Ware striker Josh Hutchinson opened the half with a crisp volley that flashed wide. The second goal followed soon after. Ware captain Jack Grosvenor rose highest inside the six-yard box and flicked home to double the advantage. Approaching the final twenty minutes, Jack Taylor and Moutawafiq were replaced by Rechan Esprit and Soulya. Mayuma’s return was brought to a close as Johnny Allotey entered the action. Northwood introduced Stephane Bombelenga for Harry McCorkell in response. Soulya’s first contribution ended in a booking after a late challenge.
Ware’s third carried a ruthless edge. A clearance dropped to Beckles-Richards on the right and the break unfolded into a two-on-one. He squared unselfishly for Allotey, who applied the finish. Northwood made a further double change, Jordon Ellis and Henry Atkinson replacing Osaretin Otote and Frankie Pass. The momentum, however, remained one-sided. Esprit then put the result beyond doubt, volleying home a fourth in the eighty-second minute. Ward was later introduced to help see out a dominant second-half display.
A light rain fell at full-time but there was nothing gloomy about the mood inside Wodson Park. The 194 in attendance witnessed a convincing 4-0 victory and Ware’s first three points of 2026.
The result leaves the Blues eighth in the Southern League Division One Central, seven points adrift of the play-off places. For the Woods, the situation tightens further as they remain in the relegation zone, now seven points from safety.
Line-ups and cards.
Ware: Fred Burbidge, Finlay Titchmarsh (Gabriel Ward 83mins), David Sota, Sami Moutawafiq (Gucci Soulya-Osekanongo 66mins), Josh Okotcha, Jack Grosvenor (C), Sam Mayuma (Johnny Allotey 70mins), Max Granville, Josh Hutchinson, Jack Taylor (Rechan Esprit 66mins), Reece Beckles-Richards. Unused sub: Jay Rolfe.
Yellow cards: Sami Moutawafiq 38mins, Sam Mayuma 40mins, Gucci Soulya-Oseknanongo 71mins.
Northwood: Alfie Bonfield, Ademide Baruwa, Mack Miskin, Daniel Vincent, Manny Folarin (C), Ethan Cann, Frankie Pass (Henry Atkinson 77mins), Carl Stewart (Lewis Croucher 83mins), Dan Williams, Harry McCorkell (Stephane Bombelenga 64mins), Osaretin Otote (Jordan Ellis 77mins). Unused sub: Bryan Mankumbani.
Yellow card: Carl Stewart 22mins.
