6/4/02: Ryman League Division Three

Tring are firmly in the running for a top six place after coming home with an absolutely crucial three points from Saturday's game. Epsom occupied sixth place before this game, and although Tring are still placed tenth, only five points cover the places from 6^th to 11^th, and Tring have still to play three of the teams in that group.

Tring manager Howard Cowley commented: "Our best away win of the season and three wins in a row for the first time. The side continue to break new barriers and have responded magnificently to the challenge of a promotion bid. In the face of some of the most difficult conditions we've faced all season, the players defended superbly against the wind in the first half yet still managed to take the initiative. There is still everything to play for."

This should have been a great game between two of the division's most in-form sides, but the strong wind blowing straight down the pitch ruined it as a spectacle. Epsom played with the wind in their favour in the first half, and in the opening stages of the game Tring found it very difficult to get the ball out of their own half. Simon Bartley's goal kicks barely cleared the penalty area before the wind stopped them dead, and every inswinging corner threatened to carry straight into the net.

However, Tring eventually managed to get the ball down and play it on the floor, and enjoyed a short spell of pressure before taking an unexpected lead on 15 minutes. Mark Underwood crossed from near the right touchline, and Ben Chesters slid in unmarked to toe-poke the ball past Epsom keeper Dave Hyatt.

The lead only lasted for ten minutes, though. The Tring defence misjudged a high bouncing ball, allowing Barry Stevens to juggle the ball over both Lee Johnson and Antony Beamish. Stevens' shot was saved by Bartley, however the rebound fell for Kevin Webb, who made no mistake in blasting the ball home from six yards out.

For the rest of the half Tring coped admirably with the difficult conditions, and might have retaken the lead on 31 minutes when Chesters' corner fell for Alex Kinsley at the far post, however Kinsley shot over the bar.

Tring played with the wind in the second half, although it was Epsom who had the early chances. Webb shot over from close range when a cross found him at the far post on 49 minutes, and three minutes later Bartley saved a shot from Webb, and Johnson cleared the rebound off the line.

Tring again played their way back into the game, and went close on 70 minutes when Hyatt punched a cross clear to the edge of the area, where Underwood returned it with a lob that went just over the bar. A minute later Tring won a corner on the right side. Chesters' inswinging corner caught a glancing touch from an Epsom defender at the near post, from where the ball cannoned off the back of Dave Butler and went over the line to put Tring back in front. It was a scrappy goal but Butler was happy to take the credit for his 5^th goal of the season.

From then on, Tring dug in and held on to what they had, and Bartley was rarely troubled as the Tring defence gave another assured performance.

Team: Bartley, C.Gibson, Barber, Bartlett, L.Johnson, Underwood, Chesters, Sangster, Butler, Kinsley, Beamish. Subs (not used): B.Johnson, Oliver, J.Gibson