Stags 1 – 1 Ware
{tab=Match Report}
Ware were faster out of the blocks and were full of running but Forest began to assert their mark on the game after 20 minutes with the first clear cut chance falling to Danny Gabriel after good work on the right by Michael Filletti and Luke Stanley.
The visitors went on to win corner after corner as the wind took a hand but they could not profit from any of their chances. Once again, it was good work by Danny Gabriel on the right of the Ware penalty area which brought the first goal. His pass to Luke Stanley was cut back to Andre Humphrey-Modeste who, in turn crossed to Gabriel to stab home from short range.
The second half was a matter of equality until, on 88 mins Forest’s Rob Carter beat the defence to the ball, then beat the keeper but inexplicably shot the ball into the side netting. The winner having passed, Ware went to the Forest end and sent in a high cross. The wind seemed to take the ball from home ‘keeper Sam Tanner’s hands and Kai Ramshaw gleefully headed home.
It was not all over however as Carter failed to convert an easy header. The game ended in controversy when Referee Tim Donnellan waved the red card at Ware’s Danny Wolf. He quickly realised a mistake had been made and withdrew the card.
{tab=Match Preview}
This Saturday, Forest will hope to put their FA Trophy exit behind them as they return to Ryman League action when they face Ware at Home. Ware currently lie third from bottom in the division, with only one win to their name, coming in the form of a 2-1 victory at home to Great Wakering Rovers.
Last season, Ware were one of the few teams we took three points off, winning 5-3 in the game at Cricklefields Stadium, with Spencer Harrison, Kye Ruel, Gaz Dauti and Yacine Hamada scoring twice. In the reverse fixture, Forest went down 4-2 despite a battling performance. Alex Ievoli and Joel Palmer the scorers.
Saturday’s game will be the first of three times we will face Ware this season, as we have also drawn them in the second round of the Championship Manager cup.
{tab=Beer Hunter’s Guide}
Always a pleasure to visit this historic and attractive riverside town; back in the day its High Street was lined with coaching inns and it still manages a pub every few yards or so. Nearest ones to the ground (though neither is THAT near!) are both in the Good Beer Guide: the small and welcoming Worppell in Watton Road (near the foot of the hill up to Wodson Park), which has Greene King Abbot and IPA plus Ridleys Witchfinder, and the Crooked Billet up behind the town in Musley Hill – good range of well-kept guest ales, but not easy to find – and navigating from the pub to the ground is a challenge even in daylight. If you arrive by train, there are so many pubs en route you risk not making the match at all. Eyes down for a whistle-stop guide in order of appearance: The Spread Eagle (tiny, basic McMullens house by the station); the Saracen’s Head (riverside bar below the bridge; McMullens AK and Country; “smart attire only”); the Navigator (large Wetherspoon-type pub; Youngs, Bombardier, St Austell Tribute, food); the Vine (Greene King Abbot, Timothy Taylor Landlord); the Punch House (Greene King); the Tap Bar (upmarket cafe-bar; Greene King IPA and Abbot, snacks, coffee); the Wine Lodge (McMullens); a quick diversion behind the church to the Albion (lovely old small pub with wooden beams, coal fire and Adnams, Spitfire and Flowers IPA), back onto the main drag to the the Old Bull’s Head (Caledonian 80/-), which brings you to the Worppell (see above) before tackling the hill. And if you’re in need of a half-time or post-match freshener, we seem to recall the club bar did Greene King IPA the last time we were there. So many pubs, so little time – just as well we’re there again later in the season!
Thanks to Graham Larkbey
{tab=Team Line-Ups}
| Waltham Forest | Ware |
| 1. Sam Tanner | 1. Ricketts |
| 2. Michael Filletti | 2. Burton |
| 3. Ben Gracey | 3. Roles |
| 4. John Akindele | 4. Wolf |
| 5. Gbenga Sonuga | 5. Turpin |
| 6. Pedro Knight | 6. Berry |
| 7. Luke Stanley | 7. Sharman |
| 8. Dean Pennant | 8. Kamara |
| 9. Brian Okwera | 9. Ramshaw |
| 10. Danny Gabriel | 10. Mustapha |
| 11. Andre Humphrey-Modeste | 11. Martin |
| Substitutes | |
| 12. Ian Walsh | 12. Hatcher |
| 14. Shola Oyinloye | 14. Burton |
| 15. Shaun Clarke | 15. Andreos |
| 16. Sham Darr | 16. Moxam |
| 17. Robert Carter | 17. Toner |
{tab=Photo Gallery} Photos from the game (if any) will appear here.
{tab=Today’s Other Results}
Brentwood Town 2-1 Potters Bar Town
Cheshunt 2-0 Ilford
Concord Rangers 1-2 Leyton
Enfield Town 0-4 East Thurrock United
Maldon Town 1-2 Northwood
Redbridge 1-2 Thamesmead Town
Tilbury 4-1 Romford
VCD Athletic 1-1 Great Wakering Town
Wingate & Finchley 3-1 Heybridge Swifts
