Ware 5 Edgware 2

If this was indeed Edgware's very last game, then it was not the way in which they would have wanted to bow out.

A season in which they have far exceeded expectations, and meritously lingered long in the higher echelons of the Ryman Division One North table, ended with a sound defeat after a lacklustre performance at Ware, and their play-off hopes dashed at the final hurdle.

They undoubtedly deserved far better. Sadly it was not to be.

There was, however, some consolation in that results elsewhere did not go their way either.

Even if they had managed to follow up last week's superb win over champions Dartford with success at Wodson Park on Saturday, it would still not have been enough to book them a play-off place.

It had all began so well for the Edgare as they took the lead after only three minutes.

A David Taylor cross from the right sparked panic in the home defence and, when Greg Ngoyi shot for goal, home defender Stuart Hammonds turned the ball into his own net.

But from then on it all began to go wrong for Edgware as inept defending saw them concede four goals in the space of just 14 minutes.

Ware levelled on seven minutes after poor efforts to head clear by Ben Hayden and then Craig McKay let John Frendo in on the left. His weak, angled shot somehow managed to elude the diving Darren Bonfield and crept into the far corner of the net.

Ten minutes later the home side went ahead. Paul Burton's free kick from the left managed to dissect the square Edgware rearguard and, when the ball came through to him, a startled Bonfield blocked it away with his legs - but only as far Sam Berry, who netted from close range.

With 19 minutes gone poor defending by Taylor on the right allowed Danny Spendlove to get to the byline and cross for Chris Ellerbeck to blast home and make it 3 - 1.

A controversial fourth followed two minutes later when Ellerbeck broke into the Edgware box, knocked the ball wide of the diving Bonfield, then theatrically went to ground over the keeper's outstretched arms.

Referee Young was impressed enough to award a spot kick, which Frendo netted.

At 4 - 1 down with just 21 minutes played it was looking very gloomy indeed, and only a good save from Bonfield kept out Spendlove's blockbuster before the Edgware management duo decided enough was enough and Jason Fernee was brought on for the ineffective Hayden to help shore up the defence. Stuart Blackburne replaced Taylor to liven up the attack.

It almost produced instant dividends as Fernee's free kick was helped on by Blackburne and Adam Wallace's close range range shot crashed back off the body of keeper Luke Woods.

But a minute into first half stoppage time Edgware did reduce the arrears from a Vince Rispoli free kick. Richard Morton headed it goalward at the far post and the clearance of Ware defender Danny Gudgeon hit the onrushing Ngoyi and flew into the net.

The visitors lost Blackburne to a knee injury at the break but, with Fernee magnificent at the back, they looked decidedly more sound in the second half and were not without hope of salvaging something as they edged the opening exchanges, with Denis Maharjan narrowly missing the target with a half volley.

And with 61 minutes gone Edgware had a golden opportunity to reduce the arrears still further when Gudgeon brought down Ngoyi in the home area and they were awarded a penalty.

Sadly, Rispoli's weak spot kick was easily saved by Woods and the visitors were clearly deflated by that body blow.

With Edgware's impetus gone, Ware enjoyed the better of the closing stages. But they still required help from referee Young for their fifth goal, in stoppage time, when he cruelly penalised Morton after Horsey's cross bounced up and hit him on the arm.

Clearly no intent, but it allowed Frendo to complete his hat-trick, the scoring - and possibly the end for Edgware Town - from the spot.

Edgware Town: Bonfield, F Moore, Hart, Rispoli, McKay, Hayden (Fernee), Taylor (S Blackburne)(Salih), Morton, Wallace, Ngoyi, Maharjan.

By John Comfort