WARE TN 3, PETERSFIELD TN 1 (Evo-Stik Southern League: Div I Central)

WARE Town completed the double over Petersfield who were playing only their second league match since Christmas.

Petersfield held their own in a goalless first half, but were then hit by three second-half strikes and although they pulled one back and rallied late on, they had left themselves too much to do.

Both sides tried to play passing football on a heavy surface in Hertfordshire, but there was little to trouble either keeper in the first half.

Ware went closest when Kieran Bishop broke through in midfield before releasing Dernell Wynter whose low shot was blocked by the legs of keeper Luke Eaton.

Then Lewis Hyde was caught in possession and Wynter forced another smart save from Eaton.

Another error cost Petersfield the first goal nine minutes into the second half. This time, Rams captain Jamie Ford lost the ball and Bishop broke into the penalty area before shooting low under Eaton.

Petersfield immediately began to test Ware keeper Tom Coulton for the first time. Howard Neighbour’s 18-yard drive was turned away by Coulton who then tipped Andy Todd’s chip over the crossbar.

Ware should have doubled their lead when Wynter’s shot was blocked and Bishop, seizing on the loose ball, missed an open goal.

However, the home side did make it 2-0 on 72 minutes. Khale Dacosta earned himself some space on the right and his cross to the far post found Wynter completely unmarked to turn the ball over the line.

Four minutes later, the dangerous Dacosta put the game to bed. Cutting in from the right, he fooled his marker with a stepover and then slotted the ball inside the near post.

Petersfield, to their credit, refused to lie down and made it 3-1 in the 81st minute when Joe Briggs’ shot took a helpful deflection to beat Coulton who could only help the ball into the net.

The visitors had what looked a good shout turned down for handball inside the area and from their next attack, Stuart Green headed a cross straight into the Coulton’s arms.

It could have been much closer, but Ware deserved the victory – their first since December 5.

Ware: Coulton, Mace, Oujdi, Hervel, Rose, Crilley, Dacosta (Young 87 mins), Hartley, Bishop, Wynter (Bakici 76), Karagul. Subs (not used): Bailey, Stevenson.

Petersfield: Eaton, O Searle, Needham, Green, Hyde (Buckland), Ford, Richardson, Bailey (Neal), Neighbour, Briggs, Todd. Subs (not used): Geddes, Saunders.