This should have been
Tring's third unbeaten game in a row, however
they were robbed of at least a point by an inept
display of officiating. A stunning equaliser was
wiped off the board and an entertaining game was
reduced to a farce by referee Dele Sotimirin, who
was refereeing Tring for the third time in six
games.
Tring's display in the first half picked up from
where they left off on Saturday, with the defence
again looking solid and disciplined. Chances were
limited until Tring took the lead on 35 minutes
with a superb goal. Alex Kinsley intercepted the
ball in midfield and played a first-time pass
that put Kevin Chakaodza clean through. Chakaodza
ran on to finish in style, beating Flackwell
keeper Lee Knott with the most delicate of chips.
Tring held onto their lead until the break thanks
to keeper Lee Turney, who turned a long-range
shot from Gary Wiltshire round the post on 42
minutes and denied Tristan Heywood from close
range in stoppage time.
Having worked so hard in the first half, Tring
started the second half poorly and lost their
grip on the game. On 49 minutes two defenders
left the ball to each other, and Kevin Franklin
nipped in to equalise with an angled shot. Tring
could have gone straight back in front again, but
Dennis Fenemore shot just over the bar after
exchanging passes with Chakaodza.
However, poor concentration saw Tring exposed
again on 55 minutes. Rino Sepede got clear in the
box and was adjudged to have been brought down as
he tried to round Turney. Franklin made no
mistake from the spot to put Flackwell into the
lead.
Tring got themselves going again, though, and
looked to have equalised on 66 minutes with
another picture-book goal. Fenemore received the
ball near the right touchline, turned inside and
used his pace to beat three defenders before
unleashing a shot from 30 yards that gave Knott
no chance. It was then spotted that the linesman
had his flag up for offside, although it is
difficult to see how anybody could have been
interfering given the solo nature of the goal.
The linesman then put his flag down, as if he was
changing his mind.. The referee came over to
discuss it with the linesman, and the outcome was
that the goal was disallowed, to the disbelief of
the Tring contingent.
What should have been a grandstand finish turned
into an anticlimax. Tring were visibly deflated
by the decision, and Flackwell were reduced to
ten men by another poor decision on 76 minutes.
Daniel Pedley had been booked earlier in the
game, and was shown a second yellow for an
inocuous challenge on Fenemore.
The game looked to be over two minutes from time
when Gavin Mernagh headed in a free kick to put
Flackwell 3-1 up, but Tring gave themselves some
hope in stoppage time when Jay Marshall bundled
home a corner to reduce the arrears. However, it
was too late to save the game, and Tring were
still venting their fury at the referee beyond
the final whistle. |
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| Flackwell Heath:
1. Lee Knott, 2. Seb Neptune, 3. Daniel Pedley,
4. Craig Greason, 5. Tristan Heywood, 6. Lee McElligott,
7. Gary Wiltshire, 8. Kevin Franklin, 9. Jim Baker, 10.
Rino Sepede, 11. Ashley Smith. Subs: 12. James Tripp (for
Neptune 90 mins), 14. Matt Flint, 15. Andy Spurr (for
Sepede 72 mins), 16. Paul Shone, 17. Gavin Mernagh (for
Baker 63 mins). Tring Town: 1. Lee
Turney, 2. Luke Reid, 3. Chris Gibson, 4. Adam Dale, 5.
Brian Johnson, 6. Gary Donaldson, 7. Dennis Fenemore, 8.
Kevin Chakaodza, 9. Dave Butler, 10. Alex Kinsley, 11.
Wayne Barber. Subs: 12. Steve Groves, 14. Dave Watson
(for Reid 80 mins), 15. Jay Marshall (for Barber 80
mins), 16. Gary Lawson, 17. Jack Copson.
Bookings:
28 mins - Flackwell - Pedley (tackle)
31 mins - Tring - Barber (dissent)
55 mins - Tring - Reid (dissent)
76 mins - Flackwell - Pedley (tackle)
87 mins - Flackwell - Wiltshire (dissent)
Sent
off:
76 mins - Flackwell - Pedley (two bookings)
Referee:
Dele Sotimirin
Attendance:
58
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