Isthmian League Div 1 (North)
24th Jan 2015
Att:65
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There have now been sixteen goals in the last three matches between these two clubs but surely none more stunning than Charlie Yexley's (pictured) winner with fifteen minutes to go. The 17-year-old Dagenham & Redbridge academy player has grown in confidence since his debut on work experience five games ago and signalled his intentions in the first half with a number of forays forward.

But it was his 76th minute run from the Ware half to the edge of the visitors' box before unleashing an unstoppable shot that got the crowd to their feet. It was a goal worthy of winning any game. Not that Thamesmead thought so as they pushed hard for an equaliser and might have got one but for Rhys Madden and the woodwork.

The game started with Ware defying supporters' concerns that with their two top scorers departed they would struggle to impose themselves. The new faces in the team, which included debutant Omari Walker from the under-21s at left back, didn't affect the home side's ability to string some slick passing movements together in the opening ten minutes. The problem was that opportunities petered out in the final third thanks to over-elaboration.

As a result, Thamesmead came more into the game and with the home defence often guilty of failing to clear properly started to win a number of corners. Ware survived these but were looking vulnerable and it was not entirely surprising when, on 24 minutes, Rob Carter bore down on the home goal and fired past Rhys Madden to give the visitors the lead.

It didn't last long and Ware were on the attack from the off. Play moved into the Thamesmead area but with both sets of players unable to deal decisively with the situation Ryan Hervel arrived to put his foot to the ball and bury it in the net for his first goal for the club. Ware had been behind for just two minutes.

The home side made a similar response to the beginning of the second half and just two minutes after the restart were ahead as Khale DaCosta fired into the roof of the net after picking up an attempted clearance.

But Thamesmead wouldn't lie down and were level on 70 minutes when Ashley Probets scored what might have been the goal of the game but for later developments. His free kick from just outside the 'D' of the penalty area cleared the defensive wall and found the top corner of the net giving Madden no chance.

However, the keeper had his moment when, with Ware now back in the lead, he managed to flick a goal bound shot onto the crossbar and then smother a follow-up effort from the rebound. It was a fitting end to Rhys's time at Ware as he now moves closer to home by signing for Thurrock. All at Ware wish him well.

Ware: Rhys Madden, Charlie Yexley, Omari Walker, Kazim Bishop (Ryan Wade 70 mins), Ajet Shehu, Jack Fowler, Khale DaCosta, Ryan Hervel, Anthony Thomas (Charlie Ledula 65 mins), Leon Fisher, Murat Karagul (Jermaine Osei 80 mins).