 |
|
Club sponsored by...
 To advertise on this website, please email us here
|
|
Tue 10th Nov 2009
Herts Senior Challenge Cup
Ware 3-1 TAFC First team
TAFC goals: Mark Burfoot |
 |
Last year we enjoyed considerable cup success culminating in three trophies being lifted in the last 7 days of the season. This time it’s a different story as we exited our fifth cup competition on a misty murky night at Ware. We are still in two competitions but this loss of cup form may be a blessing in disguise as it should enable us to concentrate on our league position more.
This was the first meeting between the two clubs and in the first 45 minutes there was little to choose between us, but in the second half the Rymans Division 1 (North) side raised their game and ran out easy winners in the end. We played some good stuff in the first period and did well to come from behind to equalise but we failed to produce the same form after the break.
With Manager Phil Casserley enjoying some winter sun, Terry Nightingale took over the reins and had to face some selection problems due to the absence of skipper Graham Hall, Andy Mullins, Danny Gray and Ashley Addison. Rob Duncan and Matt Myatt came into the starting line up and Chris Salmon pushed up into midfield and donned the captain’s arm band, but the bench was lacking in recent First Team experience with only Darren Franklin having appeared more than once this season.
Never-the-less we started extremely well against our higher status hosts, taking the game to them and playing some good football. But despite this encouraging start we were rocked in the 14th minute when Kai Ramshaw found himself in loads of space in the area and although David Salmon tried to shut him down the shot was deflected into the net giving Mike Underwood no chance. Giving away an early goal was a blow and we had a narrow escape nine minutes later when Mike Underwood’s clearance was blocked by Phil Turner, but fortunately the ball hit his arm so the Referee awarded a free kick.
Ware used every opportunity to try and release their speedy right winger Thomas Mustapha and Rob Duncan did a very good job in containing him. But Mustapha still managed to draw a good save out of Mike Underwood with a fierce low shot and later he lobbed a ball over Mike but wide of the far post. We were playing well and creating openings but failed to get the ball into the danger area. But we rectified that in the 38th minute when David Whicker and Steve Smith combined well on the right wing to give Smithy the chance to loft a high cross into the area. The home keeper Harry Ricketts may have lost the ball in the gloomy light as he dropped it nicely for Mark Burfoot to level the scores at 1-1 with his 19th goal of the season.
This was encouraging and we looked capable of going on to win the game with Tony Fields in particular playing well down the left and creating problems for the home rearguard. After a strong start and finish to the half we went in at the break all square at 1-1 and could feel satisfied that we performed well and could look forward to the second half.
HT: Ware 1 Tring Athletic 1
However, the second period was a disappointment, conceding two goals and killing off any hope we had of progress in this senior county competition. Rob Duncan was replaced at half time by George Liveing at left back and the young Reserve did well. Mustapha was still causing problems on both wings and he toe poked the ball just wide then hit the outside the post with a snap shot. A minute before the hour mark Michael Toner broke through on the left and crossed to the far post where Kai Ramshaw was on hand to score his second goal and to put his side 2-1 ahead. Our players felt it was offside but the goal stood.
Soon after we brought on Darren Franklin and he and Mark Burfoot were whiskers away from getting on the end of a terrific David Whicker cross to the far post. We put together some nice moves and one occasion George Liveing was played into the area in a good position but that came to nothing and we failed to test the Ware keeper. Ramshaw would have claimed a hat-trick in the 70th minute but for a great save from Mike Underwood who came off his line quickly as the Ware player burst through the centre of our defence. Darren Franklin scored but the goal was disallowed for offside but as Chris Salmon had been fouled in the lead up and there was no advantage it was puzzling that no free kick was awarded. In the 80th minute we finally got a break through when Vinnie Iannone cleverly headed the ball through to Darren Franklin but he was prevented from scoring by a tremendous saving tackle by Ware Captain Danny Wolf.
That was our final opportunity to salvage something as Ware extended their lead to 3-1 two minutes later. Mustapha broke down the left and crossed to the far post where Phil Turner converted. Later Mark Burfoot had a goal bound shot deflected wide but it was time up for us and Ware deservedly went through to the second round where they will travel to St Margaretsbury.
FT: Ware 3 Tring Athletic 1
Despite missing some key players we had a good start but will feel disappointed we did not continue that form into the second half. We are still in two cup competitions but we can now mainly concentrate on finishing high up the league table. Last season we finished 8th and we are presently 4th and still within touching distance of the top although it will be tough as we are competing against teams that are paying out big money.
Teams:
W: Harry Ricketts, Tony Dawkins, Sam Rose (Jimmy Martin 81), Danny Wolf (Capt), Matt Turpin, Michael Toner, Michael Sharman, Phil Turner (Gregory Lacey 87), Kai Ramshaw (Charlie Moxom 85), Jimmie Berry, Thomas Mustapha. Subs not used: Ben Andreos, Mark Burton.
TA: Mike Underwood, Dave Salmon, Rob Duncan (George Liveing 45), Steve Smith, Henry Thomas, Matt Myatt (Darren Franklin 64), David Whicker, Chris Salmon (Capt), Mark Burfoot, Vinnie Iannone, Tony Fields. Subs not used: Keith Eldridge, Terry Nightingale.
Goals:
W: Kai Ramshaw (14, 59), Phil Turner (82)
TA: Mark Burfoot (38)
Crowd: 58
W Website: www.warefc.vpweb.co.uk |
|
(No photos on file)
|
|
|
|
