14/10/00: Ryman League Division Three

(Report by Howard Cowley)

Possibly Tring's largest crowd of the season had turned up in the hope of witnessing a return to form of a side that has scored over two goals a game this season. They might have forgotten that Tring have also conceded that number as well. The game ran true to form and the crowd, including its share of vociferous Wingate & Finchley supporters, were not to be disappointed.

Tring' s goalkeeping crisis was eased by the return of veteran Billy Davies and Clive Denniss was in the side at left back. Their two new signings - Mark Swales and Tony Cook, both ex-Berkhamsted - were on the bench, whilst Wingate fielded former Chelsea, Spurs and QPR full back Clive Wilson - now their player/coach.

Tring struggled to find their fluency during the first half, too frequently giving the ball away. Despite this, both Walters and Kinsley had snap-shots fly narrowly wide, as Tring always looked dangerous when they got behind the Wingate defence. Surrendering possession once too often led to the opening goal, as Wingate's Nyman picked up a loose ball, weaved past three static defenders before smashing the ball past Davies.

To their credit, Tring refused to give in to this setback and appeared to have fought their way back into the game when, after a fine run by Alex Kinsley, Marcus Davis was felled in the box for a blatant penalty. Referee Mr. Honeker - whose decisions were consistently mystifying all afternoon - managed to award it after a seemingly overlong deliberation. Skipper Neal Bartlett elected to take Tring's first penalty of the season. Unfortunately the quality of his strike did not manage to beat Kalli in the Wingate goal, who saved with his feet. It was beginning to look like one of those days.

The second half saw a vastly improved Tring performance, as they showed the determination and quality to turn the game around. With Steve Boad snapping into tackles and Antony Beamish striding imperiously forward, Tring began to dominate midfield. Walters, through in a one-on-one, saw his effort pushed round the post at full stretch by Kalli, and Beamish watched a trademark header cleared off the line.

Tring upped the pressure by bringing on Mike Hemingway and Mark Swales, and the substitutions were to prove decisive. Within minutes Swales provided the cross for Walters to head home decisively, and moments later a Beamish flick set Hemingway free, who threaded the ball through for Swales to tuck it under the advancing 'keeper. It seemed as though Tring had turned the game around, but Wingate mounted fierce pressure in the closing minutes. Tony Cook replaced Chris Gibson.

With four minutes remaining a fortunate corner was quickly taken. Tring had momentarily switched off and O'Neill rose at the far post to head against the post. To prove that Tring's luck was completely out, the ball rebounded off the back of 'keeper Davies into the corner of the net.

There was still time for Tring to launch two more attacks in the hope of reclaiming all three points, but despite their best efforts it was not to be.

Doubtless Messrs. Bartlett and Davies would have gone home and slept like babies. Waking up every half an hour and bursting into tears.

Team: Davies, Underwood, Denniss, Bartlett, Johnson, Boad, Davis (Hemingway), Gibson (Cook), Walters, Kinsley (Swales), Beamish.