Match played 04 January 2019
Ware started a new decade on top of the table thanks to a 2-0 victory over Chertsey Town at Wodson Park. Manager Paul Halsey made one change from the previous weekends 3-1 win at FC Romania restoring striker Andre McCollin to the starting line up in place of Josh Williams.
It was the experienced McCollin who made an immediate impact sweeping home Leigh Rose's knock down from Tom Bruno’s cross with only seven minutes gone. In an opening half of few chances the visitors only tested home keeper Calum Kitscha once, Jonathan Hipployte producing a fine save when he weaved through a congested penalty area.
The visitors continued to have plenty of possession after the break but it was Ware who began carving out opportunities in front of goal. McCollin firing just passed a post before a double swap saw wide men Alaa Oujdi and Josh Williams introduced. The home side looked more comfortable reverting to a flat back four and it didn’t take long for further chances to appear. Top scorer Liam Hope missing the best of them when he saw saw his shot deflected wide with only Curfews keeper Devon Gordon to beat.
Ware finally got the second goal their dominance deserved eight minutes from time. Keeper Callum Kitscha launching a free kick into the Chertsey box, Leigh Rose rising to head the ball down and Josh Williams providing an emphatic finish for his thirteenth goal of the season.
On a day when the top five all won it proved an important victory for Manager Paul Halsey who said afterwards; "It wasn’t pretty today but I think we deserved it overall. We were a little bit off colour and we know we’ve got to be better but it was a 2-0 win and another three points so I’ve got to be happy."
You can hear the full interview with Paul Halsey and highlights from the match on this weeks #90Minutes Podcast.