31/3/01: Ryman League Division Three

Tring gained their second win within the space of three days as they overcame bottom side Chalfont to move up three places in the Division Three table. The performance was solid rather than spectacular, but given the exertions of two days earlier, plus the fact that Chalfont looked a better side than their position suggests, Tring can be satisfied with their day's work.

Lee Johnson and Steve Boad were both absent following their injuries picked up on Thursday, but on the plus side Tony Oliver made his first start of the season having recovered from a broken leg.

Tring made a slow start to the game, and could have gone behind after 4 minutes when Antony Beamish's back pass was intercepted by Tariq Bougren, but Simon Bartley came out to save at the striker's feet. Tring missed a golden opportunity to go in front on 17 minutes when Chalfont keeper Luke Blackmore dropped a simple take, but Beamish's swing at the loose ball only made minimal contact, and the ball was cleared. Bartley was Tring's saviour again on 22 minutes when Chalfont broke quickly. Dionne Grant was clean through, but Bartley stayed on his feet and turned the shot wide. These were the only notable moments of a goalless first half.

Tring made a brighter start to the second half, with Mark Underwood striking a long-range shot just over the bar in the opening minute. Tring started to put some pressure on the Chalfont goal and it paid off on 51 minutes. Underwood floated over a free kick to the far post, where Beamish met it with a header that looped over Blackmore into the net to put Tring in front.

Chalfont hit back in search of an equaliser, and in fact enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the second half, though without the end product. Beamish made another key contribution on 77 minutes when he came in with a saving tackle to stop the lively striker Grant who had made a purposeful solo run into the box.

Late in the game Tring were able to exploit the gaps left at the back as Chalfont pushed forward, and should have doubled their lead three minutes from time. Lee Kelly rounded the keeper, but was forced wide and by the time he pulled the ball back for Mark Burfoot, Blackmore had recovered to be able to save Burfoot's shot. A minute later Sean Sangster went close when he headed against the post, but in stoppage time Sangster did get on the score sheet, running on to Neal Bartlett's pass to round Blackmore and net the goal that confirmed Tring's 14th league win - the most they have ever won in a Division Three season.

Team: Bartley, B.Johnson, Groves, Bartlett, Underwood, Sangster, Oliver (Hibbert), Cook, Walters (Burfoot), Kinsley (Kelly), Beamish.