Ware FC 3-0 Aylesbury United

Report by James Knight

It was a dismal Halloween afternoon for the Ducks as they were beaten by three goals to nil by Ware FC, a team below us in the league prior to the awarding of their three points. Not enough character was shown by the team beyond the opening stages of the game and ultimately Ware played like they wanted it more and put up a better fight than Aylesbury United to crawl higher up the league table. 

Right out of the gates, Aylesbury tried to get an attacking foothold in this game and did well to build some early pressure. Wil Turner had a great run down the right-hand side, twisting and turning through the Ware defenders to arrive in the final third – the tricky winger went one on one with Ware keeper Fred Burbidge. Wil got his shot away, but it hit against Burbidge, the ball went up and over the man between the sticks, but Wil could not get there in time for a rebounded shot and Burbidge recovered it to avoid an early goal.

Ware responded well and were beginning to see more of the ball and be more threatening, they also had a man with a long throw which was flicked on well when executed but could not find the final ball before the 14^th minute when the game changed. 

1-0 14'

The host's response rewarded them with an early lead, the ball was worked well into the final third and then the box and there was a small scrap for the ball after a misplaced pass but it was won back by Anthony Wordsworth who fired it past Hopwood. Aylesbury had to find a response quickly to avoid another away defeat. 

The hosts kept control of the ball as Aylesbury heads began to drop. They had a corner whipped in which found a man at the far post, but Hopwood was able to save his shot. Aylesbury United went up the other end and were able to win a corner. Similarly to Ware's chance, Chase Matthew was able to leap and get his head on the ball but it hit the near post allowing for Jake Bewley to have an attempt on goal from a tough angle on the rebound but it collides with the Ware defender, then off Jake to award the hosts a goal kick.

10 minutes to go before the break, and Ike Okwusogu and Aaron Onginjo both had good chances to equalise. Ike is played through on goal from a perfectly weighted pass, but his shot hits the keeper again, the ball finds Aaron in a good position but his shot fires over the bar.  

2-0 41'

Ware doubled their lead on 41 minutes. Samuel Mayuma played the ball into Anthony Wordsworth after a good dummy from the other attacker waiting in the danger area which caught Hoppy off guard letting Wordsworth score his second of the afternoon. A change was then made as Pooya Karimi entered the match in replacement of Aaron Onginjo who looked to be nursing a minor injury, Aaron had to spend a short spell on the sideline after looking to be in some discomfort before the second goal.

HT

Aylesbury had to come up with a better gameplan to avoid an embarrassing scoreline, they were second to most challenges and misplaced passes and chances were few and far between; heads were beginning to drop as the opposition were not playing like a team who were below us in the table at all.

It seemed as though whatever was said at half-time in the home dressing room worked more effectively than the away, the hosts came out firing as they had a free kick at the edge of the box that was played low across goal and found a man at the far post but Hopwood was there to stop it. 

Finlay Reeves then had a good chance at the other end from close range after doing well to keep it alive and work it into the box – the keeper parried it out of play for a corner, this corner ball was punched away by Burbidge at the first time of asking. 

Aylesbury were beginning to see more of the ball as Bakary Daffeh had a shot from range after being played in by Wil, Burbidge stopped it and struck it downfield to play the opposition striker in, but he was closed down by our defence. 

3-0 57' 

Any change of a comeback was extinguished by the home side as they scored a third on 57 minutes. Theophilus Ofori scored his goal with little resistance from the Aylesbury defence putting three important points firmly in the home side's hands with at least 30 minutes to play. 

Rocko Tamplin was subbed on for Wil Turner on 65 minutes to give a new look to the Aylesbury attacking contingent. We were awarded a free kick in a good position 10 minutes later, about ten yards from the edge of the box – Fin and Ike stood over it, Fin's shot is claimed by the keeper easily as it lacked power. 

More chances were coming our way as Ware took their foot off the accelerator after going three goals up, Fin had a shot at the keeper that is put over and behind for a corner, the corner was whipped in and met the head of Frankie Bircham who could not get the header goal-wards after being under pressure from the Ware defence. 

Following this renewed attack, Sam Bajaha replaced Sonny French on 78 minutes. Rocko Tamplin then had a great run from around the halfway line and was able to beat 3 defenders and get his shot away. Fred Burbidge saves once again. A final change was then made as Ike Okwusogu, who showed fight and character throughout the game and much more so than his peers, is replaced by Aaron Gray in the 89^th minute. 

Finally, Fin had a great chance for a consolation goal, but the keeper Burbidge continued his great afternoon making another great save. 

FT 

3-0 to the hosts. A disappointing afternoon on all counts, the chances that Aylesbury United got were not taken well enough or saved every time; and in some parts of the game, we were truly dominated by Ware FC. Aylesbury United now sit 21^st in the table with a lot of work to do to revive this young season. 

Attendance: 224

Aylesbury United: Hopwood, Bewley (C), Onginjo, Matthew, Daffeh, Brown, Turner, Bircham, Reeves, French, Okwusogu

Subs: Emmanuel, Karimi, Tamplin, Gray, Bajaha

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