8/1/02: Ryman League Division Three

Tring Town 1 Corinthian Casuals 0

After three games without a win, Tring returned to form last night with an excellent victory over one of the leading contenders for a promotion place. A first half goal from Ben Chesters was enough to claim the three points.

Tring started the game well and had a number of near misses before they finally took the lead. On 13 minutes a pass from Alex Kinsley set up Chesters for a shot which the keeper could only parry, but the rebound just eluded Wayne Barber. Two minutes later the Casuals keeper dropped a long cross from Neal Bartlett under pressure from Chesters, who then turned and quickly struck the loose ball just wide. On 19 minutes Alex Kinsley's shot from a narrow angle hit the post.

The goal which decided the match came on 23 minutes. Bartlett crossed again, and Casuals defender John Russell-Smith tried to clear the ball, but it only scuffed off his boot and Chesters side-footed the ball into the corner of the net to give Tring an overdue lead.

Early in the second half Tring had what looked like a valid shout for a penalty when when Kinsley was upended in the box by Andy Gibbons, but nothing was given. Tring held onto their lead throughout the half thanks to some superb goalkeeping from Simon Bartley and and a tireless work rate by the whole side. Chesters had three chances to extend Tring's lead over the last 15 minutes, each time clean through on the keeper, but two of his efforts went over the bar and the last was just wide. The last action of the match saw Bartley pull off a point-blank save from Vaughan to ensure that Tring completed their well-deserved win.

Team: Bartley, C.Gibson, Barber, Bartlett, L.Johnson, Boad, Chesters, Underwood, Butler, Kinsley, Beamish. Subs (not used): Oliver, Hemingway, Clark.