Heybridge Swifts 1 Ware 0

26 November 2011

A GOAL in the fourth minute of added time robbed Ware of a point in a clichéd game of two halves.

The visitors were lucky to make it to half-time still on level terms after a tough first half in which Swifts had two goals chalked off for off-side.

But Ware came out fighting in the second half and played some nice football that left Heybridge frustrated, although it was the home side who scooped all three points with a last ditch strike by Luke Callander.

Ware’s biggest threat came from Barnet youngster Kieran Weekes, who impressed after being given his first start since joining from the Bees on work experience.

Visiting goalkeeper Rhys Madden had plenty to do in the first half, a taste of which arrived on eight minutes when he dived backwards to keep out Russell Pond’s long-range effort as it looked to be creeping in under the bar.

The mid-way point in the first half seemed to be filled with throw-ins as Ware stifled Heybridge’s attempts to get forward.

The hosts had the ball in the net on 25 minutes but were denied by an off-side flag, and there was a similar story nine minutes later as Solomon Ofori bundled in after Madden saved Pond’s close-range shot, only see his effort chalked off for off-side again.

In a sustained period of pressure from Swifts, Jack West chipped the goalkeeper but his shot cannoned back off the bar and, after a scramble, Vince Rispoli cleared the danger.

Madden later came out to rob striker West of the ball at his feet to thwart another Heybridge attack, while Heybridge’s final chance of the first half was wasted on 39 minutes when Luke Callander fired over the bar with a 20-yard free kick.

Ware made a bright start to the second period, but Callander went close again on 51 minutes, only to be denied by the legs of the goalkeeper.

At the other end, Michael Elliott fed Kieran Weekes, whose shot whistled past the far post from outside the area on 52 minutes.

The impetus was again on Weekes as Ware broke away on 71 minutes, the Barnet attacker managing to get a shot away that was gathered low by Heybridge keeper Jason Willis.

The Heybridge players appeared to be tiring in their attempts to break Ware down, but Swifts finally scooped all three points with the match deep in stoppage time.

The ball was played out to the left, where substitute Ashley Hawkins seized possession. His ball into the area was deflected into the path of Callander, and the Heybridge man smashed the ball in to steal the victory.

Ware: Rhys Madden, Michael Elliott, Vince Ripsoli, Jon Stevenson, Wesley Beckles, Dave Bastian, Junior Adeoye, Kieran Weekes, Tony Martin (sub: Tom Querry, 33), Ricci Crace, Aime Blessing. Subs not used: James Winchester, Callum Adebiyi, Harry Larner, Danny Hayes.