Grays Athletic 4 Ware 0
20 August 2011
A HAT-TRICK from Joe Sweeney floored Ware in Saturday afternoon’s Ryman League Division One North curtain raiser at the home of East Thurrock United.
It proved a baptism of fire for new Ware boss Stuart Nethercott, who took charge of his first league game since taking over as manager in the summer.
The visitors showed flashes of inspiration in the first half when they enjoyed a decent spell of possession, but ultimately it was the big-spending hosts whose goliaths simply overpowered the new-look Ware squad.
With a lack of recognised right-sided players in the matchday squad, striker Darrelle Russell was tasked with manning the right side of midfield, while Denny Webb, normally a left-back, took up a left wing role with Vince Rispoli in behind him.
Grays started brightest with Lee Flynn firing way over the bar with a speculative third minute effort.
The hosts took a seventh minute lead when a header was flicked on by a Grays midfielder at the edge of the box and ex-Maldon & Tiptree striker Joe Sweeney forced a low left-handed parry from Ware keeper Bert Greenwood, before firing in after the ball ran loose in the box.
PIC: Phil Friend
At the other end, Darrelle Russell cut in from the right, but ran into bodies in the Grays area and the attack fizzled out.
Two minutes later, Ware midfielder Danny Johnson surged through the Grays defence and pulled the trigger, but he dragged his shot wide of the back stick.
Just after the half-hour mark, keeper Greenwood dangerously spilled a Kenny Beaney shot inside his own six yard box, but thankfully for the visitors the ball was cleared after a goalmouth scramble.
Grays striker Jean-Michel Sigere touched the ball onto the post in the 44th minute, but his effort wouldn’t have counted had it gone in, as the linesman’s flag was raised for off-side.
For Ware, Johnson sent a header just wide after a cross from the left by Denny Webb, but the hammer blow for the visitors was dealt just seconds before the half-time whistle.
Following an attack down the left, Sweeney gambled with a shot from outside the box. After finding its way through a mass of defenders, the ball nestled into the bottom corner of the net with keeper Greenwood beaten low to his right.
There were no changes by the visitors as the second half began, but Grays soon resumed control of the match and added goal number three on 61 minutes.
Harry Agombar played in Sweeney, who composed himself before sending a classy strike past the keeper and into the net to complete his hat-trick.
Ware made a double change with left winger Tom Querry and striker Leigh Rose replacing Webb and Ben Andreos respectively.
But as the second half progressed, Grays continued to apply pressure and in the 74th minute it was 4-0. A poor clearance by Jon Stevenson was repelled straight back at the visitors, with substitute Eljay Worrell beating Greenwood easily at his near post after being played in on the left.
Chances after that proved rare, with Johnson firing high and wide for Ware as the match drew to a close.
Ware: Bert Greenwood, Michael Elliott (sub: Jimmy Martin, 77), Vince Rispoli, Ted Clark, Jon Stevenson, Jack Friend, Darrelle Russell, Danny Johnson, Ben Andreos (sub: Leigh Rose, 62), Ricci Crace, Denny Webb (sub: Tom Querry, 62). Subs not used: Shane Branch-Gilkes, Obey Murefu (GK).
