4/11/00: Ryman League Division Three

Following their frustrating but ultimately fruitful struggle against Chalfont, Tring upped their performance by several gears to record a marvellous last-gasp win against a quality side that had won their last four matches and maintain their position at the head of the table.

Tring welcomed back Steve Boad and Mark Underwood, while Egham fielded two players who were regulars in the Tring side a year ago, Adam Dale and Paul Turner.

Tring opened their brighter of the two sides and almost went in front on 7 minutes. Neal Bartlett's cross was headed out as far as Mark Underwood, whose shot was going wide until Mark Swales diverted it with a backheel that keeper Trevor Jones did well to save. On 14 minutes Tring had another chance when Swales intercepted a short back pass from Dale, but Jones saved his shot.

It was somewhat against the run of play when Egham went in front on 23 minutes. Turner beat Joe Gibson on the left edge of the penalty area and his cross was turned in by Andy Sayer from close range.

However, Tring were only behind for five minutes. Scott Walters was barged out of the way by a defender as he attempted to get on the end of Swales' cross, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Tring captain Bartlett took responsibility and netted the penalty to level the scores.

Tring were still looking the likelier side and should have gone in front on 39 minutes. Swales, who was giving Dale a torrid time on the right, put over a cross which Jones flapped at. Alex Kinsley pounced on the loose ball but mishit his shot and it went wide of the open goal.

The home side picked up their game in the second half and the result was a very even and open encounter that could have gone either way. Egham should have gone in front two minutes after the restart when Turner's pass put Aaron Nicholls in with a clear sight of goal, but he shot wide. On 51 minutes Steve Boad hit a good shot when Underwood's free kick was headed down, but Jones saved well. Two minutes later Egham went close again when Mark Thomas struck the post direct from a free kick.

Tring's best chance came on 73 minutes when Underwood's pass sent Kinsley racing clear, but Jones came off his line to cut down the angle and saved Kinsley's shot. With that chance missed it looked as though Tring were going to have to settle for the point.

However, a minute from time that all changed. A free kick from Steve Harrhy went across the face of goal to Swales, who delivered the ball back into the danger area. Walters headed back across goal where Lee Johnson got the crucial touch to put the ball in the net and Tring in sight of victory.

Egham pressed furiously over six minutes of stoppage time but Tring were not to be denied another excellent three points.

Team: Bartley, J.Gibson, Harrhy, Bartlett, Johnson, Boad, Swales, Sangster, Walters, Kinsley, Underwood. Subs (not used): Groves, Sissons, Barber.