Tring gained sweet
revenge for their 7-2 hammering at the hands of
Leighton just before Christmas as they gained a
deserved 1-0 win in a close-fought local derby at
Bell Close on Saturday. The defence had a
particularly good day, especially as they were
forced into an early reshuffle due to injury.
Tring manager Howard Cowley commented:
"Back-to-back wins have been a tremendous
boost for the club in this difficult time. Tring
are alive and kicking - and the spirit amongst
the players is the best it's been all
season"
There was little to choose between the sides from
the start, although the first chance fell to
Tring on 10 minutes. Wayne Barber's pass found
its way through to Kevin Chakaodza, but he put
his shot over the bar under pressure from Paul
Matthews. There was a chance for Leighton on 17
minutes when Carl Yeomanson's long goal kick beat
two Tring defenders to put Gavin Jaggard through
on goal, but he shot wide.
Tring lost their left back Jack Copson to injury
on 27 minutes, requiring Chris Gibson to move
into that position with the lively Dennis
Fenemore taking Gibson's place in midfield,
however the defence continued to look solid. Dave
Butler went close for Tring a minute later when
his close-range shot was deflected wide of the
post, while on 37 minutes Leighton's Matt Rawdon
raced clear, only for Gibson to recover well and
block his shot and his effort from the rebound.
The sides were still inseperable as the second
half progressed, although Leighton should have
done better with two close-range headers early in
the half. A long-range shot from Jaggard went
just wide on 62 minutes, while four minutes later
a rasping effort from Bruce Wilson was well saved
by Tring's Lee Turney, whose goalkeeping was
positive and decisive all day.
The closest either side had come to a goal was on
74 minutes. Alex Kinsley's long throw was headed
clear, but Barber's instinctive hooked volley
from the edge of the area went inches wide.
However, three minutes later Tring made the
breakthrough, although there was an element of
fortune about the goal.
Tring were awarded a free kick just outside the
box when Chakaodza was manhandled. Kinsley's
curling effort could have been heading for the
top right corner, until it cannoned off the head
of Leighton defender Jason Haggerwood and flew
into the left corner of the net. For the second
game in a row Tring had profited from an own
goal.
Tring almost extended their lead on 83 minutes
when Chakaodza's run set up Kinsley for a fierce
shot which Yeomanson did well to tip over the
bar. The defence dug in and battled as they had
done throughout the game, and apart from a free
kick from Wilson which Turney saved well two
minutes from time, Tring seldom looked like
relinquishing their lead and claimed their
seventh league win of the season. |
|
| Leighton Town:
1. Carl Yeomanson, 2. John Marsh, 3. James Kidd,
4. Steve Gallen, 5. Paul Matthews, 6. Jason Haggerwood,
7. Dak Lee, 8. Mark Welling, 9. Gavin Jaggard, 10. Matt
Rawdon, 11. Bruce Wilson. Subs: 12. John Bentley (for
Marsh 86 mins), 14. James Armstrong, 15. Josh Price. Tring
Town: 1. Lee Turney, 2. Luke Reid, 3. Jack
Copson, 4. Adam Dale, 5. Brian Johnson, 6. Gary
Donaldson, 7. Chris Gibson, 8. Kevin Chakaodza, 9. Dave
Butler, 10. Alex Kinsley, 11. Wayne Barber. Subs: 12.
Steve Groves, 14. Dennis Fenemore (for Copson 27 mins),
15. Dean Hutchinson, 16. Gary Lawson, 17. Dave Watson.
Bookings:
20 mins - Leighton - Rawdon (late tackle on keeper)
42 mins - Tring - Barber
42 mins - Leighton - Wilson (altercation)
45 mins - Tring - Johnson (tackle)
Referee:
Richard Seuke
Attendance:
120
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