5/3/02: Ryman League Division Three

Tring were cruelly robbed of another superb victory by a last-gasp equaliser in last night's match at Bracknell. Tring travelled to the division's most in-form team with four first choice players missing through injury or suspension but outplayed Bracknell in another display of incredible tenacity and spirit.

Tring almost took the lead in the opening minute when Ben Chesters' pass put Alex Kinsley through, but Bracknell keeper Martin Hutt came off his line to save the shot. However, a momentary lapse of concentration saw Tring go behind in the 6^th minute. A simple through pass caught the Tring defence square and Simon Teague ran clear and scored with a low drive from the edge of the area. It could have been 2-0 on 13 minutes when Nko Ekoku ran on to a similar through pass, but this time Simon Bartley came out to save with his legs.

Tring should have levelled on 26 minutes. Scott Walters' pass put Chesters in behind the Bracknell defence, and Chesters played the ball across the face of goal but somehow Kinsley failed to steer the ball into the net at the far post when it seemed easier to score. Kinsley had another chance two minutes later when Mark Underwood's pass put him through, but his shot deflected off the boot of defender Neil Baker and went just wide. It was third time lucky for Kinsley on 38 minutes when Sean Sangster played him in. Kinsley outpaced the last defender and this time his shot eluded Hutt and found the corner of the net to send the sides into the break level.

Tring had the slope in their favour in the second half and enjoyed almost complete domination, nearly going in front on 53 minutes when Kinsley received another superb pass from Sangster and jinked past Jon Underwood but his shot was saved by Hutt's legs. They had to wait until 64 minutes to take the lead, but it was a goal well worth waiting for. Chesters took on Bracknell's Gavin Taylor in a race down the touchline and got ahead. One yard in from the touchline and twenty yards from the goal-line Chesters launched what looked like a hopeful cross to nobody - in fact it was heading straight for the top corner, but Hutt realised too late and could only palm the ball against the post from where it deflected into the net for a spectacular goal.

From then on it looked like Tring would hold on with ease. They were organised and efficient and hardly allowed Bracknell a sniff of a chance. However, two minutes into stoppage time, fate conspired against them when a clearance from a Tring defender ricocheted against one of his own players back towards goal and put them in trouble. The ball fell for Dave Osgood, who smashed home a shot from the edge of the area that gave Bartley no chance, and Bracknell had got out of jail and claimed a point they scarcely deserved.

Team: Bartley, J.Gibson, B.Johnson, Bartlett, L.Johnson, C.Gibson, Chesters, Walters, Sangster, Kinsley (Stratford), Underwood.