After North Greenford’s promising midweek display at Aylesbury expectations were high when the club welcomed Ware to Berkeley Fields for the first time, with both sides looking for their first victory in the Evo-Stik Southern Central Division.

Unfortunately by the end of this scrappy contest it was the visitors who secured the points cementing their win with a second goal scored deep into stoppage time with virtually the last kick of the game.

Greenford could have no complaints after this disappointing performance for at no point did they seriously test Jack Smith in the Ware goal. Indeed Ware’s margin of victory would have been greater had their finishing been better.

With both teams struggling to cope with the hot, humid conditions during the forgettable goalless first half, goal mouth action was limited to an Aaron McLeish chance for United on 26 minutes followed, some seven minutes later, by a well delivered Ware corner that fell to striker Khale DaCosta who blasted high and wide from inside the home team’s six yard box.

There was a livelier start to the second period but, when McLeish was substituted ten minutes into the half after sustaining a head injury, Greenford’s attacking threat was significantly reduced, and the Ware defenders were able to deal comfortably with the long, high balls and the occasional cross delivered into their penalty area.

At the other end Ware had chances to open the scoring with left winger Anthony Thomas narrowly missing the target with a firmly struck header and midfielder Murat Karagul shooting wide after being set up by DaCosta.

On 68 minutes, just when it seemed a goalless draw would be the game’s most likely outcome, the visitors finally broke the deadlock when United keeper Ricardo Diniz badly misjudged a long, high and seemingly innocuous free-kick. The ball fell into the path of DaCosta’s strike partner Kieran Bishop who, presented with an open goal, made no mistake as he gratefully accepted the gift to give his team the lead.

Although Greenford upped their tempo in their efforts to get back into the game Ware continued to defend effectively, determined to protect this narrow lead. They were helped, it has to be said, by the home side’s continued reliance on long, high balls, and their inability to get behind the tall, strong Ware back four to cause a serious threat in the visitor’s box.

Ware’s stoppage time second goal, scored on the end of the game’s final move, a counter-attack down the left, by substitute Nana Asamoah, obviously sealed the visitor’s win but, to be honest, it wasn’t needed as United had never really looked like being able to grab an equaliser.

A big improvement will be needed when the club make the short journey to Vale Farm next Saturday to take on Wembley in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.

NGU Team: Ricardo Diniz, Suleimane Djalo, Catalin Fasie (Andrew Manitou 60), Yannis Ambroisine (captain), Ahmed Mohammed, Vianney Kokolou, Isaac Akoa, Orlando Rodrigues, Aaron McLeish (Jeyson N’Zambi 55), Anton Robinson, Glenn Yala (Charlie Mitchell 67)

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