Report courtesy of Ware FC - www.ware-fc.co.uk

IT might have been a Friday night, but nobody was seemingly in the mood to score as the new-look Ware squad stepped up to the challenge and held a strong Aveley side from the Ryman Premier Division to a goalless stalemate.

Ware fielded a reasonably strong side, albeit with a makeshift set-up on the right with winger Davie Edmee dropping in at right back and back from holiday Leigh Rose playing in front of him.

Between the posts, there was a debut for former Bishop’s Stortford goalkeeper Bert Greenwood, while another Stortford youngster, Tom Querry, lined up on the left side of midfield.

Starting with a large chunk of the squad that finished last season in the Ryman Premier Division, the visitors carved out a number of early chances.

Imposing forward Sherwin Stanley saw his low shot trickle past the far post after beating the off-side trap four minutes in, before flashing an effort wide with 18 minutes on the watch.

For the most part, the Millers found the Ware defence in good form, thanks in no small part to Jon Stevenson.

For Ware, Ben Andreos went close with a header after getting on the end of a looping ball into the box from debutant left-back Denny Webb.

At the other end, Aveley’s Daryl Robson cut in from the left and struck towards goal, but a combination of the midfielder’s boot coming off as he did so, coupled with a good save from Greenwood, meant there was still no score.

Perry Christian, brother of former Ware right-back Rickelle Christian, seized possession for the hosts in midfield soon afterwards, but his tame effort was no bother for Millers keeper Billy McMahon.

Ware’s Jimmy Martin made a spectacular goalline clearance mid-way through the second period following an Aveley attack down the right, before Cedric Kayembe fed ex-Redbridge striker Anton Agdomar as the hosts surged forward, only for the big front man to miscue his strike.

With five minutes remaining and following some great work down the right wing by Perry Christian, Marcus Sammons crossed for fellow substitute Nathaniel Hibbert, but the latter headed just wide.

As the minutes ticked away, Ware continued to make Aveley work to keep a clean sheet, with the Millers finally clearing the danger after a goalmouth scramble that began when Kayembe had his shot from 10 yards blocked by a defender.

Ware: Greenwood, Edmee, Webb, Stevenson, Bastian, Martin, Johnson, Rose, Andreos, Russell, Querry. Subs: Rispoli, Agdomar, Hibbert, Elliott, Malimabue, Patterson, Sammons, Kayembe, Christian.