Football is back! The Clarets are back! Robbie’s side take on Ware FC for their first pre-season fixture. 2 months without football sees us resume for an action-packed pre-season schedule, starting in Hertfordshire. After starting training last weekend, Robbie will start to assess his squad, and many trialists presumably as the 23/24 season beckons.
THE OPPOSITION:
Ware FC were founded in 1893 and have only ever reached the Isthmian League division 1. Playing in the Southern League Division One Central, the Blues finished 5th last season but saw it end in disappointment. After managing to beat playoff favourites Biggleswade, they fell in the final as a crowd of 1,938 saw Didcot Town run out 1-0 winners over the Blues. This season, they will hope for better under manager Paul Halsey who has been trying to take Ware up since 2018. This is his second spell in charge having managed Ware in 2009. After that stint, he moved on to be a goalkeeping coach at Essex side Billericay Town, before returning to management. He managed both Hoddesdon Town and Hertford Town before being reunited with Ware FC.
A notable name in the Ware side is former West Ham, Leyton Orient and Ebbsfleet man Freddy Moncur. Son of the former West Ham midfielder John Moncur, Freddy has mainly featured in non-league, aside from 8 Leyton Orient appearances. He has played for some familiar clubs to Chelmsford, such as Concord Rangers and East Thurrock United. Last season, he made 32 league appearances and scored once, at the age of 26. Upfront, the Blues have deadly striker Brandon Adams. He initially signed for the Blues in 2018, scoring 23 goals in just 25 games. This attracted much attention, seeing him go on to have spells as Royston, Cheshunt and Bishops Stortford. He returned midway through last season, to play 12 and score 11, continuing his fine record for Ware. At the back, they have a former Braintree man. Dan Rumens has played in and around Essex, featuring for Dagenham & Redbridge, Braintree, Bishops Stortford as well as Histon and Hendon. Last season, he played 34 times for the Blues, helping his side to a 5th placed finish.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
In July of 2021, the 2 sides met for a preseason fixture. It was the Clarets who started on top and managed to take a slender 1 goal lead into half time, thanks to Callum Harrison’s impressive finish. Ware struck back soon after half time, as a low and hard shot beat Sam Kingston. Minutes later, Chez Isaac put things right as he got into the box and fired a powerful shot into the back of the net. However, 10 minutes later an excellent through ball cut the City defence open, seeing Ware level again. With 15 minutes to go, the hosts wrapped it up as Ware’s striker was able to turn home a rebound following a good save from Kingston. It could have been more for Ware, but Chelmsford’s second preseason game of 2021 was a 3-2 defeat.
TEAM NEWS:
Robbie will have many of his squad to choose from however, he may opt to utilise this fixture to take a look at some trialists. Plenty of players attended the inaugural training session, with Robbie keen to bolster his squad for the upcoming season.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Wodson Park lies just off the A10. From the Melbourne Stadium, head East to the A414 where you travel for just below 15 miles to Harlow. Here, follow the A1025 and A1019 to Fifth Ave/A414. Then, follow the A414 to the A1170 in Hertfordshire. Take the A1170 exit from A10 before continuing on A1170 to Ware FC. The ground is also accessible through public transport. From Chelmsford train station, you take the train to Liverpool Street where you change to greater Anglia Hertford East and go to the Ware station. From here, you will need to either wait for a Bus, the 331 Buntingford service, or endure the 30-minute walk.
Please be aware, there are some scheduled train strikes tomorrow, so possible knock on effects may cause delays.
TICKET NEWS:
Please not that Ware FC are card only on the gate so please prepare accordingly ahead of your visit.
Prices are marked as:
Adults: £5
Concessions: £2.50
U16: Free with Full Paying Adult
U12: Free
Please note that the game will commence at 2pm rather than the originally scheduled 3pm.
WHERE TO FOLLOW THE GAME:
To keep up with the game, follow the coverage on the @OfficialClarets twitter page, where updates will be posted using the hashtag, #TheClarets.
Post-match reports and interviews will be found on the club website, social media and Youtube channel ClaretsTV, following the game.
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