05 March 2011

THIS was something of a crunch game for both sides given that Ware’s recent slump had sent them perilously close to the danger area and Redbridge were only three points behind with a game in hand.  That is still the situation although Ware felt themselves the victims of rough justice when a late free took a deflection and ended up in the opposite side of the goal to Obey Murefu’s dive.

Neither side had made much of the potentially crucial nature of this match perhaps fearing an overheated contest.  Even so there were seven bookings (three for Ware) in a game that never quite got going as a contest.

From the start eyes were on Terry Dixon making his debut after signing from Stevenage.  His trademark was a deft touch and an ability to turn an opponent.  He almost made it a debut to remember when put through after some good approach play.  But his shot was well saved by Elliot Justham, being turned round the post for one of many corners that Ware forced throughout the game.

On the debit side Dixon is inevitably lacking match fitness and was substituted in the second half having earlier picked up a disappointing yellow card.

Not for the first time this season Ware played some good passing football at times and had more of the possession. But still it was the opposition who fashioned the more likely chances in the first half, not least when the ball hit the Ware crossbar on 28 minutes and bounced onto the goal line before being cleared. 

Even so it was only seconds later that Ruff had a long range shot tipped over for another corner.   And earlier Ryan Wade had been denied when clear on goal after the referee pulled play back because of a head injury to a Redbridge defender.

In the end it was Luke Marshall who put Ware ahead after 75 minutes.  Ruff intercepted the ball in midfield and sent Marshall away with a long pass that he controlled well before hitting an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net from just inside the area.

That could have been it.  Ware’s makeshift defence with Matt Turpin still injured, Lee Protheroe unavailable and Ross Price on his way out was standing up well to Redbridge’s forays.  Danny Roles, who quickly mastered his move from full back to midfielder earlier in the season, was on top of his latest job as centre back and this, combined with some wayward shooting from Redbridge, seemed to point to an away victory.

But with two minutes of normal time left Redbridge were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area.  Kevin McLeod’s kick first went one way then another much like Ware’s chances of their first league win since January 15th.

Ware: Murefu, Clemo, Kemble, Sargent, Roles, J Berry, Ruff, Dixon (Aiken 67 mins), Wade (D Mitchell 74 mins), M Mitchell, Marshall.  Unused subs: Dooling, Killingback, Ormand (GK)