Biggleswade Town 4 Ware 1

A goal up at half time, there was hope that Ware could hold on for an unexpected win as their opponents struggled to break down the Blues’ defence. Having conceded Theo Ofori’s 19th minute goal when he looped his shot across the penalty area and into the net the home side were rattled. With the championship at stake the Waders’ nerves were inevitably taut albeit that Keiron Forbes maintained a calming influence at the back throughout the game.

Whilst Biggleswade slowly got the better of Ware in terms of possession and territory they were unable to make much headway. There were a couple of close calls for the visitors but Fred Burbidge dealt confidently with them. A sense of frustration was building as the Waders could not benefit from some good play that saw them moving the ball around well and finding their men in good positions.

Ware were fielding a changed side with Paul Halsey unwilling to risk several players with minor injuries and tweaks knowing that a place in the play-offs was already assured. As it turned out AFC Dunstable’s home win meant that Ware had no chance of a home game in the play-off semis so his decision to keep his powder dry was justified.

What they do have is an away game at Bedford Town this coming Wednesday where they will need to tighten up after suffering a collapse in the second half of this game. With an hour gone they were still holding their opponents at bay but it all changed soon after as they conceded three goals in eight minutes. The speed and manner of the turn round underlined Town’s championship credentials.

A period of frantic play in the Ware area on 64 minutes, with claims for a penalty as the Ware defence put everything in to keeping the Waders’ attack at bay ended when the ball broke free and left Luke Andrews with a clear shot at goal. It was perhaps fitting that the home side’s captain should be the man to fire in the equaliser.

As his team rushed to surround him the home bench erupted out of the technical area. It was all enough to indicate that this was the break through. All those stretched nerves were eased and that pent up energy released. Within five minutes Biggleswade had the lead when Jonathan Lacey’s ground hugging free kick was steered round the defensive wall and seemed to swerve just enough to escape Burbidge’s grasp.

Two minutes later the game was up as Lacey notched another one. Ware had pushed forward but were caught on the break with Lacey this time going high to score off the crossbar. A fourth goal was perhaps a little hard on Ware but it had become the kind of occasion in which only Biggleswade mattered and so, with four minutes left, Harry Draper was able to turn the ball past an unsighted Burbidge to wrap up a great afternoon for the home side.

Actually, there was a lot more time left with referee Mayhew finding an unexpected seven minutes to add at the end of the second half. In that time Ware did have a brief period monopolising play and, in a way that spoke of their manager’s customary approach, sent both centre backs up for a late corner. Once again they risked a breakaway goal and but for a fine save from Burbidge, Draper might have had his second goal.

Mr Mayhew hadn’t endeared himself to the Ware bench who felt that too many of his decisions went against their men whilst the home side escaped punishment. It is the case that Ware were handed five yellow cards, the most damaging of which were the two shown to Ekow Coker.

He had had a good game with strong tackling at the back plus long diagonal passes setting up several Ware attacks but he left the field deep into added time a disconsolate figure. His second yellow seemed harsh and the outcome may yet affect Ware’s play-off chances.

Ware: Fred Burbidge, Alex Warman (Jack Dreyer 83mins), Ben Siggers, Ekow Coker, Louis Rose, Jack Grosvenor, Theo Ofori (Joe Dearman 76mins), Freddy Moncur, Kieran Bishop, George Ironton (Jon Clements 76mins), Richard Ennin. Unused subs: David Sota, Mitch Hahn.