30/3/02: Ryman League Division Three

Tring continued to put pressure on the leading clubs in Division Three with another useful three points. It was far from being a great performance, although as manager Howard Cowley observed after the match, "it is sometimes difficult to play as well as you would like to". Clapton were a spirited and attacking side that belied their position at the foot of the table, and often made things very awakward for Tring.

Tring did most of the damage during the opening 25 minutes of the game, where they established a two-goal lead. They almost went in front on 14 minutes when Simon Bartley's long goal-kick was headed on by a defender to Alex Kinsley, but Kinsley's volley was well saved by the keeper. However, from the resulting corner, Ben Chesters added another spectacular goal to his impressive portfolio this season, as he floated in a cross-cum-shot from near the corner flag which went over the keeper's head and straight into the net.

Clapton fought back, and Earnest Arhin's defence-splitting pass put John Antoniou in with a great chance on 18 minutes, but Bartley did well to save low to his right. A minute later Neal Bartlett's misplaced pass across his own box put Antoniou in with another chance, but his lob landed on the bar. Tring needed the cushion of a secnod goal, as they got it on 23 minutes. Mark Underwood's long throw was headed straight back to him by a defender, and this time Underwood lobbed the ball to the far post where Antony Beamish arrived to head home.

The second half was a very uncomfortable one for the Tring side. Clapton poured forward at every opportunity and often displayed some impressive passing. On 51 minutes Bartley had to save well when Antoniou rode two challenges on a run into the box before hitting a shot, but a minute later had little chance when Antoniou turned and shot home from the edge of the six-yard box after Tring had struggled to clear the ball.

Clapton's dominance of the second half was illustrated by the fact that Tring only managed one shot on goal. On 68 minutes Chesters' quickly taken free kick from the halfway line put Kinsley through on goal, but the keeper produced another good save to keep out Kinsley's shot. However, through a combination of good defending and a bit of luck, Tring held out under the onslaught to claim the three points.

Team: Bartley, Oliver (Sangster), Barber, Bartlett, L.Johnson, C.Gibson, Chesters, Underwood, Butler, Kinsley, Beamish.