23/3/02: Ryman League Division Three

Tring continued their impressive unbeaten run, but this was a below-par performance as they let two more points slip away, the third away game in a row in which they have held the lead only to come away with one point. Tring were again missing a few key players, and goalkeeper Simon Ryder was drafted in from King's Langley to deputise for the holidaying Simon Bartley.

The opening exchanges saw both sides win a number of corners, but neither side managed to create a reasonable chance. The first direct shot on goal was from Abingdon's John McMahon on 23 minutes, but that trickled wide. Abingdon had another chance on 40 minutes when McMahon shot across the face of goal but Mark Scanes just failed to connect at the far post. Tring's first serious effort arrived in first half injury time when Alex Kinsley ran on to Dave Butler's pass and shrugged off a defender, but hit his eventual shot wide. However, in a lengthy period of stoppage time due to an injury to one of the assistant referees, Tring were still able to take the lead. Mark Underwood's corner was flicked on by Antony Beamish, and Kinsley arrived at the far post to head home his 17^th goal of the season.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with Tring having a couple of early chances. Butler ran onto Kinsley's chipped pass but headed just wide, and Kinsley himself was set up by an excellent pass from Ben Chesters, but his shot went over the bar.

However, Abingdon were having more of the play, and their equaliser on 65 minutes was not undeserved. Tring couldn't clear the ball from the edge of their area, and the ball was crossed for McMahon to head home from close range.

Ryder saved a fierce shot from Chris Potter on 77 minutes as Abingdon threatened to take the lead, but five minutes later the home side were reduced to ten men when Paul Sherwood was sent off for an off-the-ball elbow on Neal Bartlett which was spotted by the assistant but not by the referee. However, Tring couldn't make anything of their numerical advantage, and it was Abingdon who went closest to winning the game three minutes from time. McMahon broke down the right and pulled the ball back for Potter, but Ryder pulled off a tremendous save to tip the ball over from point-blank range.

Team: Ryder, J.Gibson (B.Johnson), Barber, Bartlett, L.Johnson, Underwood, Chesters, Oliver, Butler, Kinsley, Beamish.