16/12/00: Ryman League Division Three

Tring had to be content with a point from this game, which was a fair result against a Camberley side that looked far better than their league position of 19th would suggest. With Scott Walters beginning a four-game suspension, plus Steve Harrhy and Marcus Davis out injured, James Armstrong was brought in for his first game, and there was also a first team debut for Mike Courtney, who scored two goals for the reserves last week.

In a very evenly-contested first half, both sides had a couple of good scoring chances. Tring could have gone in front in the third minute when Alex Kinsley broke down the left and delivered a cross which Mark Underwood got on the end of, but didn't put enough power into his header. On 7 minutes a long throw from Underwood was flicked on to Kinsley, whose volley brought a superb save out of Camberley keeper Justin Gray.

However, a minute later Tring were caught on the break when a ball over the top put Jody Yee clean through, but Simon Bartley stood his ground well and kept out the forward's eventual shot. Camberley then had a spell of pressure during which Nick Bell shot just over the bar, and Duncan Evans hit a shot which needed an acrobatic tip-over from Bartley. Tring had the best chance of the half on 20 minutes when a pass from Armstrong flicked off a defender to put Kinsley clean through, but he dragged his eventual shot wide of the post.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with Tring having to work very hard to break down the organised Camberley defence. Chances were few, and one of the best came on 58 minutes when Underwood swung over an excellent cross. Armstrong came in for the diving header but somehow put it over the bar from point-blank range.

The game looked to have turned in Tring's favour after an eventful 75th minute. Camberley's Tony Wood looked set to put them in front as he went clean through, but Bartley produced another excellent stop. Tring immediately broke away as Kinsley raced down the left. He delivered a cross which found Mark Swales at the far post, and Swales took a touch before firing home from six yards to put Tring in front.

The lead only lasted two minutes though. Camberley threatened again and a cross came in from the bye-line which Yee got on the end of with a header that looped over the helpless Bartley into the net.

Over the closing minutes both sides had a chance to win the game. Tring won a series of corners and were denied by a goalline clearance as the ball cannoned around the penalty area, and in the last minute Bartley produced his third great save from a one-on-one situation to ensure that Tring got at least the point, and extended their unbeaten league run to eight games.

Team: Bartley, Underwood, J.Gibson, Bartlett, Johnson, Boad, Swales (Sangster), Cook (C.Gibson), Armstrong (Courtney), Kinsley, Beamish.