2021/22 Issue Seven - Ware FC

SAINTS GAZETTE ISSUE 7

OFFICIAL ONLINE MATCHDAY MAGAZINE SEASON 2021/22 ADMISSION INFORMATION

SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH 3.00PM KO

(MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT)

WARE FC PITCHING IN SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISON ONE CENTRAL

Saints President - John Walker

First Team

Board of Directors

Manager - Peter Gill Assistant - Sean Greygoose GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kit Man - Mick Hunt Analyst - Ben Williamson Match Ball Retriever - Stan Scotcher

Chairman - Barry Cavilla Director of Football - Iain Parr Events Director - Louise Sales Commercial Director - Mehmet Mimoglu Secretary - Gary Wilson Director - Mike Green Director - Jez Green Director - Andy Clay Director - Brian Barnes

Sports Scholarship Contact - Iain@stneotstownfc.co.uk

Saints Match Day Team

Academy

Fixture Secretary - Marion Izzard Hospitality - Andy Clay Stadium Announcer - Mike Green Music & Scoreboard - Charlie Green Catering - Diane Sales

Manager - Iain Parr Development Manager - Alex Minall U18’s Manager - Alex Minall

Media

Club Information

Press Officer - Mike Green Match Reports - John Walker Photographer - Dave Richardson Social Media - Rowan Presland / Mike Green

Address: Rowley Park, Kester Way, StNeots, Cambs., PE19 6SL

Ground Staff Pitch maintenance - Barry Oakley

Club Welfare Officer - Mick Hunt

Website - www.stneotstownfc.co.uk Enquires - enquires@stneotstownfc.co.uk Events - misslouises@yahoo.co.uk Academy - iain@stneotstown.co.uk

Front Cover - Image copyright protected by David R. W. Richardson of Rich In Video and is used under license

Ownership: In accordance with the football association league rule 2.13 publication of ownership in relation to step 1-4 within the football pyramid, we hereby confirm the legal status of St Neots Town Football Club Identification Number 02921210, and is a Private Limited Company.

For the purposes of publication of ownership we can confirm that the following are listed as Directors of the Company: significant interest Lee Kearns, Iain Parr, Louise Sales, Gary Wilson, Mehmet Mimoglu and as Non Executive Directors Mike Green, Jeremy Green, and Barry Cavilla.

Company Secretary Keith Gotch, Company Accountant Keith Gotch

Greenie’s Greetings With Director Mike Green

Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome back to the Premier Plus Stadium, home of the Saints and the Goldstraw Goldsmiths Academy, for today’s Pitching In Southern League Division One Central match.

Today we extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and travelling supporters of Ware Football Club and we hope your stay with us today is a pleasant one before embarking on a safe trip back to Hertfordshire later this evening.

Firstly I want to send heartfelt condolences on behalf of everyone here at St Neots Town FC to the family and loved ones of Jacob Crawshaw, a recent Scholar here, who was tragically killed in a road traffic accident last Sunday morning. Jacob used to come to watch the Saints with his uncle and grandad when he was a junior and joined the scholarship program when leaving school. He was a devoted Luton Town supporter, watching the Hatters home and away. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Two games to recap on, firstly the home match with Wantage Town. I wont dwell on the overall performance as I'm sure Pete will analyze that in his notes later on in this edition but what was great was the fact that we had 268 present at the game with less than 10 travelling from our visitors, meaning our support is climbing once again to around the 250 mark which is absolutely fantastic. If we could push this up to around the 300 mark this season that would be amazing so please, bring a friend or relative along and we will achieve this in no time. This game marked the debut of young striker Elliott Sartorius who joined us the previous day so I would like to welcome him to the Club and we hope his time with us is enjoyable and successful.

Saturday saw us travel down the M1 to Chesham to face Aylesbury United and backed by a decent travelling contingent, we came back with a very well deserved 3 points. John Walker's match report later inside with bring you up to speed with events as they happened.

Right then, back to today and another tough match in prospect. Play your part off the pith and I'm sure the lads wiill do likewise on it.

Come on You Saints

Greenie

@abclifesupport

@ABCLifeSupportCIC

@abc_life_support

From the Dugout With First Team Manager Peter Gill

Firstly, I’d like to wish a warm welcome to everyone from Ware. I hope you enjoy your visit to the Premier Plus Stadium & St. Neots Town. I wish you well for the season ahead.

I’ll start by reflecting on our most recent fixtures. I’ll start with our most recent fixture away to Aylesbury. The boys showed good character after conceding within 16 seconds. As a group we have talked about the need to start games better so that is something myself and the whole group are looking at. The goal clearly rocked us and if truth be told we had to stay in the game for the first 10-15. After that I thought the final 30 of the first half saw us playing some good football and go into half term deservedly level. The second half was not our best performance, but the lads did well to come away with a 2-1 win. I totally agree with the Aylesbury manager and his comments in the post-match interview. He credits us for being worthy winners and the best side on the day, however, did comment that Aylesbury possibly did have the better chances. It was a game where everyone did their job. From Chad in the sticks to Rider putting it in the goal. Everyone to a man did their jobs well, even if the overall performance wasn’t our very best.

Saturday prior we played Wantage. It was one of the strangest games I have ever been involved in or seen. Wantage came to spoil and sit deep, which is absolutely their prerogative, and they did it well. Normally when a team goes 1 or 2 goals down you switch to a plan B as normally you chase the goals to get you back into the game. To our surprise they decided to stay deep and not press anything their own half. The best way I can describe the game is when you see an international game where a smaller nation just sits deep for 90 minutes. We know we needed to be better in our quality and speed of play, but we also know its very rare for a game to play out like that. The moments of magic from Charley and Kwai were enough to win us a game that really and truly, the less said about the better!!

Staying on the Wantage game for a moment, myself and the lads were all discussing just good our support was on that day. In the second half we could hear the singing which was pleasing. I always ask you to get behind the boys, and when maybe we needed some inspiration, you gave us some, so thank you. Staying on the theme of support, again, away at Aylesbury when we looked around at the end it felt like a home game with just how many Saints fans were spread around the ground clapping the lads off, again, thank you!!!

In terms of a player update, Joe Sutton & Aaron Smith have both duel registered with Godmanchester Rovers whilst Dequanne Wilson-Braithwaite has joined Welling Town on a similar basis in order to gain some much needed game time.

We wish all 3 players well for their spells away from the club. We also welcome Elliot who started the game vs Wantage.

Elliot hadn’t played in 18 months following surgery on his knee. Welcome to the club Elliot, I hope you enjoy your stay with us.

Lastly, there is a returning face today that I’m sure all Saints fans will recognise. We welcome back to the club Marc Abbott. Marc is joining in a Player / Coach role. We all know the average age of our group is around 19-20 years old and with out oldest player being 22 there is an obvious need for some experience.

Marc is also an excellent coach who will help myself and Sean out on Tuesdays.

This group has been carefully put together and we have a fantastic dressing room of honest, hard working young lads. When looking to add experience we’ve had to be careful to add the right character to add into the group. I believe Marc is exactly the character the group needs. I’ve known Marc for around 18 months, so I’m delighted to finally be working with him. Welcome back to the club Marc.

Up the Saints!

Pete

Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

St Neots Town 2 Wantage Town 1

Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

Saints

First Team Shirt Sponsor Reliable and Professional plumbing and heating service. Preferred Plumbing and Heating Ltd in Cambridgeshire

07733304549 / 01480 774723

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Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

SAINTS FOOD TERRACE

We pride ourselves on being open minded with a particular emphasis on working closely with our business partners to ensure mutually beneficial achievements. Our aim is to continue developing football for all, to offer duel career pathways and to continue to engage and support the Community and local businesses.

Boardroom Gossip With Chairman Barry Cavilla

Good afternoon and a warm welcome to you all.

I would like to welcome the players & officials of Ware FC to the Premier Plus Stadium in what is our first Southern League Central Division meeting of the two clubs. Our high flying visitors have started the season very well and will be a major test for the Saints this afternoon.

Pete and the team have steadily been picking up points over this early part of the season and have put ourselves in a good position to stay in the frame and the top half dozen teams setting the pace in this very competitive league. November proves to be a very strong test for the Saints with several of the high flyers to be played during this month, however, this should indicate just how far Pete and his young, talented squad have progressed and hopefully we can continue picking up some precious points along the way to stay in contention.

Finally on a very sad note, it is with great sadness that we have to report the tragic death of Jacob Crawshaw, one of our local Scholars from recent times. The Club and Board of St Neots Town send our deepest condolences to the Family and friends of Jacob, a young man who has been taken from us far too soon. We Trust you will all join us today a minute’s applause to show our respects before kick off this afternoon.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Best wishes

YOUR TOWN, YOUR TEAM COME ON THE SAINTS

Barry

Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

www.stneotsloftconversionsltd.co.uk

Little Paxton, Saint Neots PE19, UK

07932 453477 St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

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orders@takeaway-stneots.com

Pizza/fried chicken, Turkish, British, British Cafe Order through our app Order online Order on the pay store

To Advertise with the Saints contact our Commercial Director Mehmet on 07946 318888 or email mehmet@stneotstownfc.co.uk

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Contact AFGolfStore Peterborough Feel free to contact a member of our team with any enquiries you may have using the form below. Alternatively you can call the team direct on 01733 215989 We can be found at Unit 10, Slater Court, Harrier Way, Eagle Business Park, Yaxley PE7 3SE Peterborough Store Opening Times Monday 9am-6pm Tuesday 9am-8pm Wednesday 9am8pm Thursday 9am-6pm Friday 9am-6pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday CLOSED Contact AFGolfStore Cambridge Feel free to contact a member of our team with any enquiries you may have using the form below. Alternatively you can call the team direct on 01763 262943. We can be found at Kingsway Golf Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, Cambridge, SG8 6EY Cambridge Store Opening Times Monday 9am-8pm Tuesday 9am-8pm Wednesday 9am8pm Thursday 9am-8pm Friday 9am-8pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 9am-5pm

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Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

Som’s Salon is a Mens Barbershop and Ladies Hairdressers, we are located on Longsands Parade, Saint Neots with FREE parking directly outside the shop!

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St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints - Goldstraw Goldmiths St Neots Town FC Academy & Main Stand Sponsor The Goldstraw Goldsmith’s St Neots Town FC Academy Sponsor

Goldstraw Goldsmiths is an established, trusted, successful jewellery shop in the Cambridgeshire town of St Neots. At Goldstraws Goldsmiths we’ve been designing and caring for jewellery for over 30 years. We sell all styles of jewellery; new and antique. If you have a particular item in mind, we will always endeavour to source it. Two experienced goldsmiths work on the premises, offering quality craftsmanship with every newly created piece and repair. We take pride in our work and our customers tell us time and time again that wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Why not come in and say hello we” be happy to help.

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Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

Call 01480 470931 / Mobile 07950 496568

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints

Partners - Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk to find out how to become a partner.

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St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints

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St Neots Town FC is not just about football we are a community focused business. We have so much more going on which ultimately and significantly increases our footfall and our website site and social media reach.This in turn means that when you advertise with the Saints you get so much more for your money.

Saints Social Media Sponsor BlueLine Security Ltd – Social Media Sponsors

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Saints

Functions and Events Visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk To find out how to Book an Event

We have three rooms available for any number of functions and events.

These include a board room/meeting room that holds up to 12 people.

We also have two function rooms.

Reedman's

Hold up to 80 guests and is idea for smaller wedding, parties, Funeral wakes, Fitness classes, smaller trade fairs and much more

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Full information is available at www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

Saints Functions and Events To book and event visit www.stneotstownfc.co.uk

JW Match Report WANTAGE TOWN (H) 9-10-2021 SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL St Neots Town

2

Wantage Town

1

In their first home Saturday match for seven weeks St Neots flattered to deceive before running our rather unconvincing winners against a pallid visiting side who seldom looked like scoring themselves.

Wantage Town are struggling at the foot of the league table and managed just one serious shot before being gifted with an unexpected goal in time added. St Neots were so much on top with an embarrassing amount of possession, yet they lacked that final touch in front of goal and this failing will cost them dear against more gifted opponents. After making several changes for the recent League Cup match against Hitchin to give his squad players some game time, manager Pete Gill made just two changes in his line-up from the previous League match, with his most recent signing Elliott Sartorious making his debut and a return for Brandon Shabani at the expense of Joe Rider and the injured Myles Cowling. For 45 minutes St Neots looked poised and confident, but it seemed a different side that turned up after the break, totally unable to take advantage of their superior possession.

After a cautious start by both sides Wantage had the first real chance with visiting defender Jack Alexander up for a set piece having his effort blocked by a home defender. St Neots then settled to an attacking routine with the visiting keeper having to distinguish himself after five minutes with a full length save to deny debutant Elliott Sartorious. Neo Richard-Noel went tumbling in the area as he burst through, but his penalty appeals were ignored and then an indirect free kick inside the visiting penalty area saw skipper Lee Watkins fire high over the bar. However, the pressure paid after 21 minutes when Sartorious unselfishly pulled the ball back to Kwai Marsh-Brown who left Joseph Gorman helpless with a fierce 25 yards drive to open his account and the scoring. That lead was doubled just five minutes later with another first goal for the club from Charley Barker, who took a pass from Brendon Shabani, to shoot low past the visiting keeper. That should have opened the floodgates, but a combination of desperate defending and poor finishing kept Wantage in the game.

Wynford Marfo set up Sartorious whose near post effort was just wide of the post and then Mamadou Jobe ventured forward to link up with the attack to bring a backbreaking save from Gorman’s fingertips. The half ended with Marsh-Brown robbing a hesitant defender to send his shot over the bar when he should have added to the lead.

The home crowd were anticipating further goals after the break, but they were to be disappointed.

With Sartorious tiring, he was replaced by Julinho Gomes who livened up the home attack and Richard Noel was going for goal when brought down from behind by Jack Alexander who looked lucky to only pick up a yellow card. From the free kick, the same St Neots player brought another fine save from Gorman. The only Wantage shot came just past the hour when the underworked George Whitehall saved comfortably from Alexandre Fragate and then in a bid to boost his attack, the St Neots Manager sent on Jake Battersby for Marsh-Brown. The substitute twice produced searching crosses that could not find a finish and as the game wore on St Neots began to look frustrated with their own efforts.

JW Match Report WANTAGE TOWN (H) 9-10-2021 They still had much the better of possession with their midfield players getting plenty of possession, but the final shot lacked conviction. In added time St Neots paid the price as a defensive clearance struck Charlie Johnson and ended up in the net as a doubtful own goal for the visitors.

St Neots: Whitehall, Marfo, Steel, Shabani, Johnson, Jobe, Barker, Watkins, Richard-Noel, Sartorious, Marsh-Brown Subs: Gomes (for Sartorious 55 mins), Battersby (for Marsh-Brown 68 mins), Smith, Rider, and Dequaine-Wilson.

Cards: Marsh-Brown (Y – 49 mins), Battersby (Y – 86 mins) Goals: Marsh-Brown (21 mins), Barker (26 mins) Wantage Town: Gorman, Pemberton, Brock, Price, Alexander, Novakovic, Fragate, Scholes, Knight, Hammond, Henshall Subs: Killie (for Brock 70 mins), Stott (for Scholes 76 mins), Tooke (for Henshall 76 mins), Francis, and Wells Cards: Alexander (Y – 57 mins), Price (Y – 74 mins), Pemberton (Y – 83 mins) Goals: Johnson OG (90+1 min) Referee: Jorden Gibson (Stevenage) Attendance: 268 John Walker

JW Match Report AYLESBURY UNITED (A) 16-10-2021

SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CENTRAL Aylesbury United (at Chesham FC)

1

St Neots Town

2

St Neots buried their hoodoo at The Meadow in Chesham as they defeated tenants Aylesbury United by the odd goal in three thanks to Joe Rider’s twelfth league goal of the season in just ten starts. They had never before beaten Aylesbury and it was their seventh visit to the ground having drawn two and lost four against the host club in Southern League Premier Division meetings.

With George Whitehall unwell they had to recall goalkeeper Louis Chadwick from a loan spell at Arlesey, and he responded with one of his best performances that included three important saves. Still awaiting players back from the injury list and apart from the change in goal, St Neots made just one team change bringing in fit again Joe Rider for Elliott Sartorius who was on the bench.

St Neots could not have had to recover from a worse start to a league match for after kicking off they lost the ball to their opponents and just 18 seconds after the first whistle they conceded the opening goal of the contest.Max Hercules received the ball on the left and drifted past his marker to cross for striker Ty Deacon who twisted his way past Mamadou Jobe to beat the keeper with a fine finish. St Neots look stunned and after Jordan Jenkins had gone close to second goal for the home side – a header from a Jake Bewley corner – the visitors lost midfielder Charley Barker after twelve minutes to injury with fit again Ben Heal replacing him.

Chadwick then produced an excellent save from Ben Seaton following a corner and he was then relieved to see a cross-shot from Hercules rebound from the far post to be cleared. St Neots were not at their best in attack despite sharing possession with their finishing hopeful rather than accurate and Neo Richard-Noel set up by Heal had their best chance to level the scores, but home keeper Archie Davis saved well.Just past the half hour a bad mistake by Wynford Marfo let in Deacon but Chadwick saved well and then with the keeper off his line Seaton tried his luck with a 45 yards lob that was inches too high.The lively Kwai Marsh-Brown then shot over the bar but on the stroke of half time St Neots levelled as skipper Lee Watkins fired in a low shot from the edge of the penalty area for his second goal of the campaign.

There was still time in added time for the home keeper to make an important near post save to keep out a clever Rider flick.

JW Match Report AYLESBURY UNITED (A) 16-10-2021

Jake Battersby replaced Marfo after the break and St Neots looked more positive with Watkins seeing an effort deflected over the bar. However in their first real attack of the second half after 55 minutes home substitute Ollie Hogg set up Harry Jones who brought an outstanding save from the visiting keeper. St Neots had by now regained some of their poise and confidence and Richard- Noel shot just over and clever footwork by Rider afforded him a chance but his effort was cleared off the line by David O’Connor with his keeper beaten.There was one anxious moment for the visitors when Jobe was dispossessed to leave Hogg clear, but his finish was poor and then after 76 minutes St Neots crafted the winning goal as Heal weaved past three defenders to set up Joe Rider, whose finish was lethal. The home keeper then saved further efforts from Richard-Noel and Rider and Aylesbury’s final attack saw a Jack Wood header comfortably saved by Chadwick – the result lifting St Neots back up to fourth in the league

St Neots Town: Chadwick, Marfo, Steel, Shabani, Johnson, Jobe, Barker, Watkins, RichardNoel, Rider, Marsh-Brown Subs: Heal (for Barker 12 mins), Battersby (for Marfo 46 mins), Sartorious (for Rider 90+1 min), Gomes, and Thomas.

Cards: Marfo (Y – 38 mins), Jobe (Y – 52 mins), Heal (81 mins) Goals: Watkins (45 mins), Rider (76 mins) Aylesbury United: Davis, Jones, Bewley, Wood, Jenkins, O’Connor, Hercules, Riddick, Deacon, Seaton, Stobbs Subs: Hogg (for Deacon 46 mins), Greco (for O’Connor 80 mins), French (for Wood 81 mins), Berry, and Sangoya.

Cards: Greco (Y – 86 mins) Goals: Deacon (18 secs) Referee: David Nicholson (Bicester) Attendance: 171 John Walker

Photo Courtesy of Mark Rider

JW LOOKING AHEAD WARE FC (H) 30-10-2021

WARE FC Year founded: 1892 Chairman: Inanc Elitok Club Website: www.warefc.co.uk BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST MEETING OF OUR TWO CLUBS FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS DESPITE BEING LESS THAN FORTY MILES AWAY FROM EACH OTHER A special welcome this afternoon to our visitors Ware FC for the first meeting of our two clubs for almost 50 years. A quick glance at their club record shows them beginning life in the East Herts League at the turn on the century winning that league seven times before progressing to the Herts County League. In 1922 they won their way to the Spartan League where they competed for almost half a century before gaining promotion to Step Four in the Isthmian League.They were transferred to the Southern League at the start of this season where they will be hoping to add to their collection of honours including the Hertfordshire Senior Cup (five times). The Hertfordshire Charity Shield (six times) and the East Anglian Cup in 1973/74.

In their new environment this season they have begun in impressive style winning five and losing three of their first eight matches. Their only three league defeats have come away at FC Romania and Aylesbury United and at home to neighbours Harlow Town. In the FA Cup they enjoyed a fine run beating Takeley and Hashtag United before disposing of National League side Hemel Hempstead in a replay. In the third qualifying round they came up against another National League side, Kidderminster Harriers, in a replay.

Like us in the League Cup they drew a preliminary round bye and travelled to neighbours Harlow Town in the first round – delayed by their FA Cup exploits – where Harlow recorded their second victory of the season over their visitors.

Our previous meeting with Ware all came in a five years span early in the 1970’s and all in the now defunct East Anglian Cup competition.In those three meetings home advantage was key as our lads won 4-1 at home in 1969/70 and 2-0 at home the following season, but in 1973/74 we were beaten by a goal to nil at Ware and the home went on to lift that trophy.

Enjoy the match John Walker

Correct at 6.00pm Sunday 24th October 2021 The Southern League Division One Central

Opponent Spotlight WARE FC

WARE FC The Club was founded in 1892 and although first called Ware Town soon changed its name to plain Ware FC. This unassuming title makes it probably the shortest named affiliate of the Football Association and has caused problems for programme editors and journalists ever since. In fact, the Club has been anything but unassuming. It has held senior status from its very beginning, entering the Herts Senior Cup for the first time in 1893, and winning the cup on the first of five occasions in 1899 with a 2-1 win over Hitchin at St Albans. By this time Ware had been instrumental in founding the East Herts League and had won its championship on two of the three times it had been competed for. The club was to win it five more times before moving on to the North Middlesex League in 1907 and then also to the Herts County League in 1908. The Championship of the latter came that season in a three-way play-off against St Albans City and Welwyn.

After the First World War the Club gained a league and cup double with a second Herts County League Championship and a fourth Herts Senior Cup win in 1922. The scenes in Ware when the team returned with the Senior Cup tell us something about the hold that football had on local loyalties at the time. The local paper reported that "Large crowds awaited the return of the special train to Ware, everybody being in high spirits. The Cup was marched through the town in front of a cheering throng." Indeed, it was later recalled that the cup was taken through the town on subsequent nights and that stops were made outside public houses where it was charged with beer before being drained by the crowd.

Shortly after this Ware joined the Spartan League in which they were to enjoy several successes, winning the Division 2(B) Championship in 1926, Division 1 in 1951 with the highest "goals for" total ever achieved by a club in the Spartan League, and the Premier Division in 1952. In these later years the Club also made significant progress in the old Amateur Cup meeting many famous sides on the way. One of these was Hendon, against whom Ware drew their largest attendance of 3,800 in the 1st Round in January 1957.

Moving on to the Delphian and then Athenian League, Ware enjoyed another successful period. Two promotions, two league cup wins and two reserve championships paved the way for progress in the FA Cup. In this Ware reached the First Round proper for the first time in 1968 when they travelled to the then Third Division side Luton Town. The opposition had a 100% home record but the game was scoreless with 30 minutes to go before a judicious substitution broke the stalemate and left Ware beaten 6-1 at the final whistle In these successful circumstances it was not surprising that Ware pressed for entry to the expanding Isthmian League. This was achieved for season 1975/76 and they have maintained their place at that level ever since. This is thanks most recently to their Division 2 Championship season of 2005/6 under manager Glen Alzapiedi which carried them into Division 1 just before Division 2 was disbanded. Alzapiedi's side brought further distinction with another FA Cup First Round appearance in 2007 which saw a narrow home defeat against Kidderminster Harriers in front of 2,123 spectators, a record for the current ground at Wodson Park. Before that a tenth Herts Senior Cup Final in 2001 and another in 2008 have emphasised the club's long history and continuity. Ware is the first of only three possible candidates to appear in this final in three separate centuries, evidence that it is still one of the county's leading clubs.

League form has varied in recent years and after a disappointing period in the 2017/8 season John Dreyer took over as manager.With fortunes improving John stepped aside and his assistant Paul Halsey has taken over the managerial reins.

Opponent Spotlight PLAYER PROFILES

WARE FC PLAYER PROFILES 2021/22 Paul Halsey: In his second stint as manager having also managed Ware in 2009 before moving on as goalkeeping coach at Billericay and then management positions with Hoddesdon Town and Hertford Town.

Michael Bardle: Assistant Manager. Michael was a successful defender with Ware over a 23 month period during which he made the number three shirt his own. From his first game at Tilbury on 13th January 2007 to his last at home to the same team on 13th December 2008 he made 92 appearances (including 15 from the substitutes' bench) and scored 12 goals.He is now part of our coaching team as assistant manager having previously worked with Paul Halsey at Hertford and Hoddesdon.

Patrick Adamson: Patrick joined Ware after making 37 appearances for Cheshunt in their ultimately successful promotion push in 2018/9. He has since become a fixture at left back and has made over 50 appearances for the club.

Albert Adu-Donyinah: Albert’s first appearance was as a substitute in an Isthmian League Cup game at Cheshunt in the 2013/4 season. He made 52 appearances in that spell before leaving to try his luck in the Faroe Islands league. He rejoined us in time for the 2018/9 season after appearing for TvøroyrarBóltfelag in the Faroes and later Mandel United in Belgium but left for St Albans City in 2019/20. However, Albert has now returned for his third spell with Ware and has passed the 100 appearance and 40 goals mark for the Blues.

Chris Arthur: Chris made his debut in 2019/20’s FA Trophy defeat at Burgess Hill. He has plenty of experience in non-league and was bringing that to bear in performances before the season was brought to a premature end by the pandemic. He scored four goals in seven appearances in that brief time.

Tom Bruno: Tom is a midfielder who joined us from Cheshunt early in 2019, making his debut from the bench in the 3-0 win at Egham on 26th January. He is known for his fitness and comes with the reputation of being willing to cover every blade of grass in his team's cause. In the end he made 16 appearances that season and has more than doubled that number this season.

Robbie Buchanan: Joined us from Welwyn Garden City at the start of this season. He is a skilful ball player operating at wide midfield.He opened his goal scoring account in the first league game of the season.

Reece Crowter: A product of our youth system Reece also had experience of Step 3 playing for Biggleswade Town. He is now established in the Ware first team for whom he has made appearances in both the current and preceding seasons and scored three goals.

Liam Dulson: Has previously played for our Under-23 side but returned to the club after a spell at Royston Town. He also scored on his league debut this season to add to the six he scored in pre-season matches.

Opponent Spotlight PLAYER PROFILES

Rechan Esprit: Another product of our successful youth set up. Rechan is still young but plays with a maturity that belies his age. He is the third player to have scored on his league debut this season.

Ethan Gannon: Ethan became the youngest recorded player in Ware's history to complete a full ninety minutes when he played in goal against Histon in the Velocity Trophy game of 24th September 2019 at the age of 16 years and 26 days.

Liam Hope: Liam joins us from Enfield Town for whom he scored over 100 goals. Liam has also had experience with a number of other non-league sides including Maldon & Tiptree and Brentwood Town. He is currently the club's highest scorer.

Dave Kendall: Dave joined us on 28th September 2019 from Cheshunt for whom he had made seven appearances since the start of the season. He is now something of a fixture in the back four.

Gareth Madden: Gareth made his first appearance for Ware from the subs bench in the 6-1 Herts Charity Cup defeat at Bishop's Stortford on 7th August 2013. He went on to make 72 appearances in the next two seasons and scored 2 league goals. He rejoined us from the then Waltham Forest and now captains the side. He has now made over 150 appearances for Ware.

Marcus Milner: Now into his second century of appearances for the club which he first joined in the 2013/4 season.

He has scored 11 goals from midfield but more recently has had some excellent performances at full back.

James Mulley: James has enjoyed a good career in non-league football having played in the Conference as well as at Step 3 level. Injury delayed his Ware debut until the fourth game of the season but, clearly an asset in midfield, he should make many more appearances.

Ben Nunn: Another experienced non-league player. Although business commitments preclude regular appearances for the club he represents a more than capable standby.

Leigh Rose: First played for Ware on the opening day of 2011 in a 3-1 defeat at Cheshunt. After spells at other local clubs Leigh has returned to Ware and has now made over 100 appearances for the club and scored over 30 goals from midfield.

Louis Rose: Brother to Leigh, Louis made his debut on the 14th August 2012 in a 1-0 Charity Cup defeat at Potters Bar. Louis has also made over 100 appearances for the club and despite his role in central defence has netted 20 times.

Dan Rumens: Dan joined us from Enfield Town in September 2019 and has now secured his position in the central defensive berth. He is now closing in on fifty appearances for the Blues.

Taufee Skandari: Taufee recently joined Ware FC is an Afghanistan-born midfielder who played for Combined Counties League Premier Division side Windsor FC as a youngster.

The 22-year-old also had a spell with Essex Senior League outfit Woodford Town before heading off to Austria to play for SK Bischofshofen in August 2018.In March 2019, he was on his travels again, this time to Turkish side Busaspor.He returned to England and signed for Isthmian League South Central Division outfit Northwood in September 2020.

Correct at 6.00pm - Saturday 23rd October

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Manager - Peter Gill Assistant - Sean Greygoose GK Coach - Gary Dean Physio - Craig Lambert Kitman - Mick Hunt

Manager - Paul Halsey Coach - Michael Bardle GK Coach - Kevin Kuhn Physio - Ryan Carter

Squad List

Squad List

Louis Chadwick (GK) George Whitehall (GK) Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite Mamadou Jobe Lee Watkins (c) Callum Anderson Joe Rider Neo Richard-Noel Myles Cowling Wynford Marfo Charlie Johnson Joe Sutton Charley Barker Aaron Smith Ryan Thomas Harvey Steel Jake Battersby Ben Heal Julinho Gomes Brendon Shabani Kwai Marsh-Brown Elliot Sartorius

Bradley Robinson (Gk) Marcus Milner Patrick Adamson Leigh Rose David Kendall Daniel Rumens Robbie Buchanan TaufeeSkandari Liam Hope Albert Adu-donyinah Liam Dulson Reece Crowter Christopher Arthur Louis Rose (c) Rechan Esprit Ben Nunn Tom Bruno Ethan Gannon (Gk)

Colours Navy/Light Blue quarters Dark blue short Light blue socks

Colours Amber Shirts Black Shorts Amber Socks

Referee Shaun Barry

Assistant 1 Cristian Leonte

Next Match versus Biggleswade FC (A) Wednesday 3rd November 7.45 pm KO Southern League KO Cup Round Two

Assistant 2 David Jarrett Next Home Match versus Berkhamstead FC Saturday 13th November 3.00 pm KO Gates Open 1.30pm