Ware 0 AFC Sudbury 2
19 November 2011
A BELOW-PAR performance from the home side allowed AFC Sudbury to escape with all three points from a gritty encounter at Wodson Park on Saturday.
The Ware squad appeared to have left their encouraging progress of the last few weeks behind as a goal either side of half-time sealed the win for Sudbury.
Experienced players Ricci Crace and Jon Stevenson came back into the side in the centre of midfield, while Vince Rispoli enjoyed a solid game at left-back after completing a two-match suspension.
Barnet youngsters Kieran Weekes and Callum Adebiyi came on during the second half after signing on work experience from the League Two club.
Ware had an early chance when Dan Johnson was brought down 25 yards away from goal, but Jon Stevenson’s free kick came off a defender in the wall and the ball went behind for a corner.
Aime Blessing’s resulting flag kick caused problems for Sudbury keeper Danny Gay, who spooned it back over his own bar for another corner, although Ware wasted the opportunity the second time around.
CONTEST: Aime Blessing batttles with a Sudbury opponent (PIC: Ian Bush)
AFC Sudbury took the lead in the 18th minute when Dave Wareham’s cross from the right was met by a bullet header by Rhys Darg that flew into the top corner.
Darg glanced another header wide on 33 minutes as the visitors sought to increase their lead, although some good positioning from left-back Vince Rispoli restricted the visitors’ movement down the right-hand side.
As half-time came and went, Ware failed to carve out any clear-cut chances, although Tony Martin saw his right-footed effort swing inwards and just go beyond the far post after 56 minutes.
CONTROL: Dan Johnson shows his skills (PIC: Ian Bush)
Ware defender Wesley Beckles was cautioned after a challenge right in front of the visitors’ dugout two minutes later, and from the resulting free kick Sudbury doubled their lead.
Michael Shinn’s set piece was floated into the area, and although goalkeeper Rhys Madden got both hands to it, the ball escaped his grasp and Nathan Clarke netted at the far post.
Sudbury’s Robbie Martin controlled the ball well with his chest before turning centre-half Dave Bastian and attempting to run towards goal on 64 minutes, but Bastian was adjudged to have fouled the visiting player and received a booking.
The next time the referee went to his pocket, Ware were reduced to ten men. Beckles appeared to handle the ball on his way down to the ground after going up for an aerial challenge, with the referee showing him his second yellow card and subsequently a red.
Ten minutes from time, Rhys Madden made a superb save to push Darg’s shot onto the bar, before the defence cleared their lines to prevent Sudbury scoring another.
Neither goalkeeper was significantly troubled in the closing stages as Sudbury saw out the remaining minutes to claim victory.
Ware: Rhys Madden, Mark Teasdale, Vince Ripsoli, Jon Stevenson (sub: Kieran Weekes, 61), Wesley Beckles, Dave Bastian, Junior Adeoye, Dan Johnson, Tony Martin, Ricci Crace, Aime Blessing (sub: Callum Adebiyi, 80). Subs not used: Tom Querry, Harry Larner, Michael Elliott.
