Maldon & Tiptree 2 Ware 0

13 September 2011

WARE were desperately unlucky to come away from Maldon & Tiptree empty-handed after a positive attacking second half display in Essex.

The home side went ahead after 15 minutes, and despite Ware battling to try and haul themselves back into the game, Maldon killed them off in stoppage time with a goal on the break

Ware boss Stuart Nethercott made a handful of changes to the side that lost to Thamesmead three days earlier, some of which were enforced.

With Jordan Bostock struggling with a knock he picked up at the weekend, Michael Elliott started at right-back, while Vince Rispoli and Dave Bastian traded defensive places, Rispoli going out to left-back and Bastian coming into the centre to partner Jack Friend.

At right midfield, there was a debut for former Watford Academy winger James Winchester, while Lewis Taylor started in the centre of the park with Ben Andreos up front.

After an even start, the hosts took the lead on 15 minutes with a freak 40-yard goal that came out of nothing.

Left-back Dave Collins took possession of the ball wide on the left close to the dugouts and unleashed a cross into the box. However, a heavy gust of wind carried the ball straight over the head of goalkeeper Obey Murefu and into the top corner of the net.

Murefu made two subsequent saves to keep Maldon at bay, while Rispoli enjoyed a brilliant performance at left-back.

As the game entered the second period, Ware upped their game in search of an equaliser.

Both Ben Andreos and Ted Clark had shots stopped by the home goalkeeper, before Leigh Rose also had a shot saved after coming on for Andreos.

With the game entering its latter stages, Jack Friend had a header from a corner saved by the Maldon stopper.

But two minutes into injury time, with Ware pushing up-field, Freddie Lapado broke away and chipped the ball over keeper Murefu and into the net to make it 2-0 to the hosts.

Ware: Obey Murefu, Michael Elliott, Vince Rispoli, Lewis Taylor, Jack Friend, Dave Bastian, James Winchester, Ted Clark, Ben Andreos (sub: Leigh Rose, 67), Ricci Crace, Tom Querry (sub: Syrus Gordon 80). Subs not used: Stuart Nethercott, Bert Greenwood (GK).