Step 4 - 10/03/12 Ware FC vs Enfield Town, Wodson Park, Ware

It's been too long, but the evil ice queen has left us and we once again return to first team action. But where should we go? No seriously Ware.

Their Wareabouts were unknown.

It had to be done just for the pure comedy gold I would be able to spread among my friends with my perpetual questions of 'Ware?'. I would guess at least 1 in every third conversation went a little something like:

Me: Where are we?

Other: Ware.

Me: That's what I asked. HO HO.

Comedy. Gold.

Seriously though nice place Ware and I like that the town got in the act as well, this is someware that would embrace my humour I can tell.

Anyway onwards to the Punch Tavern and a much needed feed and unneeded pint before the game. Food was excellent so next time you are in Ware pop in and stuff your face. I must say the fish our taste tester put away put the test at danger but luckily the choosing of out tester had not be based on his small stomach capacity, a lesser man would have been beaten.

Egg face was glad the test would still go ahead.

Google maps a wonderful tool of modern life whether you are looking for a lower league club ground, a pub or just a good time it's great. I have one gripe though and that's the lack of incline information. Probably for the best though as we managed to work a good deal of lunch off before getting up the hill to our destination, Wodson Park and the home of the mighty Ware FC.The hill having not been taken into account we arrived just about in time to grab a programme, enter the half time draw and take our seats for kick off.

There FC

I do like taking my seat at a new ground the anticipation of the match, the unknown and the serenity just before KO. All ruined shortly after by the cavalcade of shouting. It was a bit harder to notice a significant step up in quality this game but in terms of decibels this is definitely the Champions League of shouting. Perched on our seats between the opposing managers we heard some great gems:


'Fill the box'
'Eat him'
'The referee's best guess is final'
'Believe you can win'
'Feel it'


The away manger was obviously better at shouting as Enfield made short work of dispatching 3 past the Ware keeper. It was an impressive feat given the state of some parts of the pitch albeit not helped by the downpour we had a few days prior.  The opening 15 mins were frentic and both teams could have opened the scoring, in particular Enfield missed an open goal having rounded the keeper and shortly after forced Ware into some desperate defending on the line.


Enfield were not to be denied for long though and the first goal followed shortly after with a rasping drive from outside the box. The second follwed minutes later and in truth was gifted to Enfield as they caught the keeper napping nicked the ball off him and slid it into the net 2-0 Enfield. It was obvious Ware's heads had dropped and to finish the first half rout Ware accidentally turned Enfield's cross into their own net. You couldn't help but feel the game was over already. 3-0 Enfield HT.

Stato

The best argument for plastic pitches?

So with 45 mins passed our intrepid taste tester had managed to squeeze enough of the fish into his lower digestive system to allow room at the top. And when that happens you know it must be taste test time.

At the tea bar, tea bar, tea bar.

He couldn't cut the mustard but squeezing it was a different matter.

Melty goodness

As usual here is a quick review of the half time snack scoring system: Culinary expert 'S' will be the taste tester for each ground so we have a level playing field to judge the nosh on. Pies, being the traditional food of choice, will take prioroty but in such case as a pie is not available a burger will be substituted. Food will be rated out of 5 stars. 1 being poor, 2 being average 3 being good 4 being very good and 5 being excellent. 

An extra "+" will be awarded for the serving of bovril. The maximum score is "5 +".

Score - 4

A massive score. The photos above don't do the burger justice. Expert 'S' found the girth, meat quality and bun to be highly agreeable. The optional onions, ketchup AND mustard was a fillip he was not to expect. The quality of the burger was actually to his detriment as he was made to wait for a considerable time due to the snacks popularity. The wait was more than worth it. The only blight on this gastronomical experience was the lack of Bovril. This was easily as close as we have got to the fabled 5 score we hope to one day find. Still no pies though...

The far side.

Enfield had quite a travelling support and made up at least 3/4 of the supporters. So we thought it only right to spend the second half in their company. Or at least a close as we dare get. Taking in the ground from the far side we were impressed by Ware's set up it's a nice ground and facilities were top notch. They even had a press box, a press box with some kids in it but a press box none the less.

Mercury No1 for Sport (and mercury poisoning)

One thing we had been keeping an ear out for was the first time we hear a chant at a ground and we came so close on this occasion but still no cigarillo. There was plenty of jeering and ref abuse to be heard and on a couple of occasion a lone voice rang out with melodic cheering. Now the key word here is 'lone'. Although the dictionary definition doesn't restrict chanting to more than one person I do. So there.

The second half was a strange one, for 35 mins Ware were all huff and puff with no real quality and Enfield seemed happy to rest on their laurels. But football is a funny old game and on the 80min Ware clawed one back (see hilarious) when they got beyond the defence for probably the first time and passed it into the net. Momentum had swung Ware's way and in injury time a similar move made it 3-2 but too little too late despite the 4 mins of added time it was not to be. 3-2 to Enfield the final result.

Despite there being plenty of goals the game wasn't up to much to be honest and may have been the least exciting we had seen. Not sure if it was the poor pitch or the gulf in class (particularly in the first half) between the teams but it missed that spark. Oh well into the club house for a tipple. Nice enough club house and the pints were good and they were even good enough to let us randomers put the egg chasing of Ireland v Scotland on the tele. The club even had a little historical content to marvel at something cool about team photos in a forest. 

History

That mark couldn't pick a winner all day, always sitting on the fence he was.

Match card

Hurry up Al I'm getting thirsty.

Special mention to the Cannon Tavern pub who we visited after and who's friendly landlady was more than happy to have us in for some darts and pool after we left the ground despite our slabbering and was even good enough to point us in the right direction when we had done. Nice day out in Ware all round, good to get another one under the belt, St Albans next I believe.

Three of the best pub sports, darts, pool and drinking.

Ticket price - £8 (£4 concessions which after some conferring the booth supervisors decided our student was acceptable) 

Beer Price - Pint Guiness £3.66

Burger/Pie Price - £2.50 . 4 star rating.

Crowd - 211.

Score 3-2 Away Win

Scorers:

0-1 14 mins 5 mark kirby

0-2 38 mins 11 Leon oesi

0-3 45 mins OG by 7 Rispoli

1-3 80 mins 8 Johnson

2-3 87 mins 11 Blessing

Facilities

Bar - Yes 7/10

Food - Yes

Stand - Yes raised and covered for about 200 people on long clubhouse side, covered areas elsewhere for about another 200.

Programme - Yes £1.50 

Fanzine - No

Club Shop - Online - Shirt Price £25