15/1/00: Ryman League Division Three

Southall 0 Tring Town 1

Tring finally have a goal and some points on the board in 2000, and crucially increased the gap between themselves and the home side, who are currently propping up the league.

Following the depature of Steve Bateman to the player/manager's job at Berkhamsted, Mick Vipond has brought in Aylesbury United's teenage defender Daniel Gordon on a month's loan, and has also taken advantage of the turmoil at Leverstock Green to sign Anthony Beamish for his second spell at Tring. Southall had fielded eight former Tring players in their previous match, but surprisingly only one of them was picked for this match.

There was very little to write about in a poor first half. Tring defended competently, with Gordon slotting into his role well, but showed little as an attacking force, only threatening on occasions from set pieces.

However, the half-time break must have done Tring some good, as they came out looking like a different side. Three minutes into the half Gordon showed his pace and his potential with a speedy break down the left wing, which was only ended by a foul tackle just outside the box which earned the defender a yellow card. On 52 minutes the impressive Tony Oliver broke from his own half and went it alone, eventually hitting a shot that came back off the post. Shortly afterwards Mark Underwood struck a dipping volley from the edge of the area which was inches wide.

With the increasing pressure it seemed only a matter of time before Tring would score, but in fact the goal did not arrive until 73 minutes. A long throw was flicked on at the near post to Scott Walters, whose shot found the net via a deflection from substitute Marcus Davis. It was a scrambled effort, and Walters and Davis were still debating whose goal it was after the match, but the crucial thing was that Tring had their first goal in four matches and a vital lead.

Tring looked for a second goal to relieve their nerves, but it was not forthcoming. Southall could have salvaged a point in the closing minutes when Darnell St John was clean through, but Keith McLoughlin produced a great save to deny his former team-mate and ensure that Tring got back to winning ways.

Team: McLoughlin, Underwood, Simpson, Bartlett, Gordon, Boad, Gerrard, Oliver, Myatt (Davis), Walters (Beamish), McKane