Ware 1 Romford 0
28 January 2012
HOUSTON, we have lift-off! Ware hauled themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time in months thanks to a 1-0 win over Romford, and are fast becoming late goal specialists.
Continuing their January trend of scoring right at the death, Ware secured a vital victory thanks to debutant striker Lewis Jones’ 88th minute goal – and with results elsewhere going their way, Stuart Nethercott’s men jumped up two places to 20th in the Ryman League Division One North table.
There was plenty of controversy surrounding the game though, as Romford’s frustration at losing skipper Paul Clayton to a straight red card in the first half was compounded by the dismissal of substitute Jamie Dicks within a minute of Ware taking the lead.
Ugly scenes followed as a large-scale scuffle broke out near the centre circle, but after order was restored Ware saw out the closing seconds to secure a deserved win.
PARTY TIME: Ware celebrate the winning goal (PIC: Ian Bush)
All four members of Ware’s back line performed well, including Dave Bastian who returned to the starting line-up to occupy an unfamiliar right-back role.
Striker Jones, signed on loan from Wingate & Finchley, gave Ware some extra presence up front, with Kieran Weekes moving out to a right wing role.
The game got off to an awkward start as Ware skipper Ricci Crace inadvertently caught Nick Reynolds in the face with his forearm as he went up for a header inside the first 30 seconds.
Reynolds needed lengthy treatment, and the hold-up meant neither side could make an early impact.
With 12 minutes gone, Dan Johnson got on the end of Bastian’s in-swinging cross, but the fact that his header was saved well by Romford goalkeeper Lamar Johnson proved irrelevant as the Ware midfielder was flagged offside.
Four minutes later, Romford skipper Clayton made a two-footed tackle from behind on Weekes, and was promptly shown the red card.
Despite the disadvantage in numbers it was Romford who had the next chance as Andy Edmunds got in behind the defence but dragged his shot wide of the far post.
At the other end, a cross from Jones was well taken by keeper Johnson with Ricci Crace in close proximity.
On 26 minutes, Wola Odedoyin surged into the box for Romford, but Ware keeper Rhys Madden was out early to rob him of the ball at his feet.
TOUGH TACKLER: Glen Parry denies a Romford opponent (PIC: Ian Bush)
Ware made a bright start to the second half, with Tom Querry forcing a save from Johnson with a free kick on 46 minutes.
The hosts had a great chance to open the scoring seven minutes later. Following some good work down the right by Weekes, the youngster unleashed a shot from a tight angle which was deflected out to Jones on the edge of the box. Jones’ subsequent looping effort seemed to go in slow motion towards the goal, before being miraculously stopped low on the line by the keeper.
At the other end, a long-range shot from Abs Seymore caused Madden problems, the keeper fumbling the initial shot before recovering coolly to gather the loose ball.
On 74 minutes, Ryan Mattos set Jones free, but some good defensive work by Romford meant he was forced to square the ball to substitute Aime Blessing on the right, the latter clipping his shot wide of the far post.
Ware defender Wesley Beckles made a crucial block inside the six-yard box following a header from Odedoyin, while at the other end, Dan Johnson had the ball in the net but the offside flag was raised well before the ball crossed the line.
The home side finally broke the deadlock on 88 minutes. Blessing made a great run down the right before crossing the ball to Weekes, whose close-range shot from an acute angle was parried at his near post by keeper Johnson. Jones promptly pounced and rammed the ball home from five yards out.
GET IN: Lewis Jones fires home the winner (PIC: Ian Bush)
Within a minute, though, the red mist descended for the visitors, prompted by the dismissal of Romford substitute Jamie Dicks for a tackle from behind on Weekes.
Following a large-scale melee, the referee cautioned two Romford players for their part in the scuffle.
The match ended shortly afterwards, leaving Ware to celebrate a vital victory.
Ware: Rhys Madden, Dave Bastian, Glen Parry, Kieran Weekes (sub: Michael Akande, 90), Wesley Beckles, Vince Rispoli, Lewis Jones, Dan Johnson, Ryan Mattos (sub: Junior Adeoye, 84), Ricci Crace, Tom Querry (sub: Aime Blessing, 70). Subs not used: Michael Elliott, Harry Larner.
