WORDS BY SAM RATHBONE

Aidan Hawtin rejoins Kiddy to replace Craig McKay following his resignation and looks to entertain Ware in his first home game for the Greens. Kidlington return to OX5 this Saturday and look to bounce back after an unlucky result against Leighton Town, despite the excellent response in performance after going two-nil down away from home. Positive signs were shown in the final stint of the 90 however as after Allen's thunderbolt in the closing stages, Kidlington remained on the front foot and looked to equalise.

Despite, not finding a result on Wednesday night, chances kept flowing and the attacking threat was there from the Greens. Reappointed Aidan Hawtin will hope Kidlington can carry on this positive momentum into Saturday’s match. Hosting Ware at Yarnton Road, Kiddy will hope to add another home win to their tally, following the importance of what would be, and
attempt to catch Northwood who sit one-point in front of Kidlington. A tint of fortune may be needed to help Kidlington push over the line with a humungous eight games to go.

Ware are the visitors travelling to Yarnton Road this weekend looking to strengthen their form both home and away from Wodson Park as their last outing resulted in a stalemate draw (0-0) against Kings Langley.

Fred Burbidge, the Ware Goalkeeper produced two stunning saves in the first half to deny Kings Langley. Ware’s corner kick count was punching above the double-digit mark by the end of the matchup; however, they lacked to turn advantages in the game into chances and opportunities.

After the previous game for Ware against North Leigh, which ended 0-0, this outcome means that Ware have had two consecutive nil-nil draws, which occurred for the first and only time for the visitors in the 2015/16 Season. Two goalless draws in eight days. Ware have played sixteen games on the road this season away from home, successful on four occasions, split even six times and defeated five times. Forty-seven goals scored and forty-five conceded, Ware can score goals whilst also being able to be defensively solid and compact.

Both sides come into this feisty matchup in the Southern League Central with good performances despite slightly negative results for both Kidlington and Ware, it’s bound to a good atmosphere at Yarnton Road as every point matters for Kidlington in their race
for survival and to catch Northwood.

Recent Form
Kidlington –WLLWL
Despite eight goals scored in a previous six affairs, it's been keeping out the other end that's been a problem for the side as dominant Step 4 personnel has proved to be hard to find. Some narrow games and some big performances have left Kidlington with it all to fight for, starting with Stotfold. A determined performance in that encounter ultimately provided Kidlington with 3 points where a sense of character was needed after falling 1-2 down but finding a way through to be victorious at three goals to two.

On the road to Enfield where simply, Kidlington did not turn up and found themselves five-nil down at the break and a relaxed second half from Enfield gave them a seven-nil victory against a broken, shattered Kidlington. That 7 goal battering saw the resignation of Craig McKay as Brad Chalmers took over for a home tie against play-off chasers Flackwell Heath, which, despite defeat, was a all round solid performance but three poor goals with no reply left Kidlington empty handed.

SIX POINTER. Simply, the biggest game of the season, Leverstock Green
away from home. Sink or Swim. Kidlington started off on the backfoot when Leverstock Green opened the scoring before Fraser Allen’s far post header levelled the score. Charlie Bacon’s rebounded header in the 86th minute gave the Greens three major away points for
their survival race to push the gap between the two below in the relegation zone.

A fresh Aidan Hawtin full of new ideas took his side to an inform Leighton Town in which a fight was put up, but fell just short despite Allen's magnificent volley to give Kidlington a lifeline after going two goals down which were conceded sheepishly.

Ware – DDWDD
An undefeated Ware started off this recent run when they hosted Berkhamsted and Sam Mayuma’s late equaliser saved Ware and their poor first-half performance to share the points between these two. Ware’s manager Paul Halsey has stated after the game that his
“side showed them (Berkhamsted) too much respect.” Back-to-back home games were on the horizon for Ware as next up they faced struggling Leverstock Green in Hertfordshire. Frustration for Ware as they should have got more out of this game and attacked Leverstock
with more intent. It was not the start Ware wanted as Leverstock scored inside 15 minutes before Ironton equalised in the 23rd minute. Praise to Leverstock Green’s defensive play as they couldn’t be broken down against Ware and the points were shared. Ware
had a dream start against Flackwell Heath as two goals inside ten minutes (through Dearman and Allotey) gave the visitors a mountain to climb and they received a lifeline through Lewis Patrick’s 53rd minute consolation goal. However, Ware held firm and battled
excellently to claim all three points and extend their unbeaten run to four. Ware travelled to Oxfordshire to face North Leigh, who had Morgan Williams appointed the same week, and his tactics and strategies worked a treat as North leigh held firm and dominated
in parts of the match to give Ware problems, worrying performance and result for Ware. Kings Langley couldn’t be broken down when they travelled to Ware, who completely dominated the match, leading to yet another stalemate nil-nil. However, their unbeaten
run continues at six without loss.

Match Information
Kidlington FC v Ware FC
Southern League Division One Central
Yarnton Road, OX5 1AT
15:00 | 15.03.25
Adult £10, Concessions £5, U16's £1