Penalty Sees Didcot Win a Place in the Premier Division Central

Didcot Town will be playing in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central for the first time since 2011 after they edged out Ware at the Christchurch Homes Loop Meadow Stadium in the Division One Central play-off final today.

A fantastic crowd of 1,938 saw the home side come close to taking an early 2nd minute lead when visiting keeper Fred Burbidge failed to deal with a Josh Hedges cross but his defenders bailed him out.

And on 10 minutes, Hedges hit an effort that crashed against the crossbar and away to safety.

But then on 21 minutes, just as Ware had begun to get a foothold in the contest, the Railwaymen were awarded a penalty when Patrick Osborne was dragged down in the box by his shirt.

And Jamar Smith duly beat Burbidge from 12 yards.

Ware fought back and Didcot `keeper Leigh Bedwell saved well from Dan Rumens.

So, 1-0 at half-time and still all to play for.

Ware’s Brandon Adams was the first to threaten in the second half, Bedwell saving confidently, and then at the other end, Burbidge was called into action again, saving from Hedges, before James Glover blazed the rebound over the bar.

Burbidge denied Hedges once again in a one-on-one situation before Ware almost equalised in the 89th minute, only for Bedwell to produce a brilliant save from Adams.

Didcot had to survive 5 minutes of stoppage time, which they did, to earn Jamie Heapy’s side a place at Step 3 for 2023/24.