26 March 2011

THE visitors did just about enough to deserve this narrow victory although the goal was disputed by Ware who claimed that Luke Callender was standing on the goal line and offside when he deflected a shot into the roof of the net.

It was one of several problems the home side had with the referee who booked eight players (seven from Ware) in a game that was never bad tempered.  Grumpy would be a better word for the mood as the frustration grew among spectators as well as players by the end of the match.

Before that neither side had set the world alight in a game that manager Tony Faulkner described, possibly prematurely, as being typical of the end of season.  Not much football was played on a hard pitch that made control difficult.  This was apparent as early as the second minute when Emiel Aiken was put through on goal but failed to properly get his foot to the ball and the chance was gone.

Shortly after that the imposing Aiken was penalised for a foul when he appeared to stand his ground waiting for a high ball to drop before being clattered by Swifts’ diminutive Billy Hawes who went flying as a result.  Perhaps it was then that the frustration began to build.

It was not until the 39th minute that Ware had another chance when Max Mitchell was well placed to fire in a low shot after his brother Daryl’s corner had caused problems in the Swifts’ defence.  The ball cannoned off a defender and the visitors’ Ollie Morris-Sanders was reprieved from becoming the first custodian required to make a meaningful save.

By then however, Ware had been down to ten men for some time following captain Sam Berry’s second booking in the 23rd minute.  With the defence already under strength because of injuries, making it necessary to draft in Jack French from Step 6 side Wodson Park and put midfielder Max Mitchell in at centre back, it was something of a triumph to reach half time at all square.

Heybridge upped their game in the second period and Obey Murefu was called on to make a good save following a 48th minute corner.  But he could do nothing with a free kick seven minutes later that squirmed through a mass of players to Callender who steered it home.

As Ware tried to get at least a point they made a couple of changes one of which, with Ryan Wade’s departure, meant that the captain’s armband was passed to Luke Marshall, its third holder on the day.  It could be something to cherish for Marshall who may well have succumbed to Harlow Town’s advances before next Saturday’s game.

But if one player goes another appears to have arrived.  Friend’s first match at Step 4 was remarkably assured and he looks to be an excellent prospect.  Max Mitchell wasn’t far behind after his performance at centre back even if some of his more original lay-offs were better saved for when he returns to midfield.

Ware: Murefu, Friend, Kemble, M Mitchell, Sargent, D Mitchell, Aiken (Roles 62 mins), S Berry, Wade (Edmee 74 mins), Malimabue, Marshall. Unused subs J Berry, Rose, Ormand (GK)