Edgware recorded their first win of 2008 and in the process did their hopes of securing a play off spot no harm, though the Wares made hard work of dispatching a resolute Maldon Town side in a 1-0 win at the White Lion Ground this afternoon Writes Gavin Shaw.

In a competitive match, both sides showed plenty of endeavours though wayward passes and poor finishing let both teams down.

Maldon came close to taking the lead early doors when Rob Blackburne was called upon to make a good stop from 'Blues' Jamie Robinson.

Edgware took the lead on 33 minutes, when a free kick from Adil Salih crashed against the bar, Johnny Moore appeared to get a final touch as the ball came down over the line, but the goal was credited to the lithe midfielder Salih.

 

With a minute left of the first half the referee appeared to give the visitors a penalty after an innocuous challenge from Blackburne who's momentum from making a save, collided into the on rushing Gary Howard with Blackburne coming off the worse, the Edgware players were incensed and after consulting his assistant the referee saw sense and reversed his decision though puzzling he re-started the match with a drop ball rather then a free kick for the Wares.

In the second period either side had chances to further the score line, but inexcusably Kevin Chakaodza missed a couple of gilt edged chances, one in particular, after Maldon's keeper Darren Gould had miss kicked a clearance, the ball falling to the striker, just yards out, but he sent the ball crashing past the post.

Maldon themselves should have finished more precisely, a goal bound effort from Kevin Hawes, headed off the line by Jason Ferneé.

Thanks to sterling work from Blackburne in the Wares goal, and the Edgware backline, the Wares held on to record a welcome win.

Ware and Enfield Town were on the wrong end of defeats, so Edgware climb above them into 3rd in the table behind leaders Dartford and AFC Sudbury.

EDGWARE: R Blackburne, Taylor, Hart, Smith, Rispoli, Ferneé, Salih, Moore, Chakaodza(Tomkins), Ngoyi(Killick), Wallace(Morton)

OTHER SUBS: Hayden, Bonfield.