19/12/98: Ryman League Division Three
Tring Town 2 Epsom and Ewell 1
Tring Town's new manager Dennis Bainborough was true to his word as he brought in ten new players for his first full match in charge - and was rewarded with Tring's first league win of the season as they came from behind to beat Epsom and Ewell in Saturday's match at Pendley.
The only survivors from the Croydon debacle were goalkeeper Keith McLoughlin and midfielder Adam Dale, plus Roger Jashek and Paul Turner on the bench. Of the new players, only Ian Porter will be familiar to Tring fans, the rest having been recruited from Bainborough's former clubs Rayners Lane and Ruislip Manor.
For the first 20 minutes the Tring side looked cautious, as they took time to get used to the pace of the game and showed the visitors too much respect. Epsom took a 15th minute lead through Sean Grant, who struck an angled drive from the corner of the penalty area past McLoughlin.
After that, however, Tring began to find their feet. On 18 minutes one of the new signings Tommy Evans floated a fine free kick from 20 yards which was heading for the top corner before keeper Dave Hyatt tipped it over with a spectacular flying save. However, Evans' game didn't last much longer as went off injured to be replaced by another newcomer Wesley Morrey.
Tring began to get a grip on the game, with Porter providing a succession of dangerous crosses, but Hyatt was not forced into any more significant saves for the remainder of the half.
Tring had an early scare in the second half when Andy Boxall hit a shot just over the bar on 50 minutes, but that was very much against the run of play.
Teenager Paul Turner, who has been one of the few bright spots in Tring's poor season, came off the bench on 54 minutes and made an immediate impact. A high ball was played into the box where Morrey brought it under control. He teed it up for Turner to crack home a tremendous shot from a narrow angle to give Tring a much-deserved equaliser.
Tring were rampant now - a minute later Porter struck a shot from 18 yards just wide. Two minutes later Tring missed a great chance to go ahead. A shot from Ben Williams (note: a new signing - not the same Ben Williams that has been appearing up to now) was parried by Hyatt, and Morrey closed in for the rebound but somehow hit the side netting when it seemed easier to score.
Roger Jashek replaced player-coach Gary Bray on the hour and played his part in a much-improved defensive display, with Liam Campbell appearing the pick of the new players at the back.
On 67 minutes Tring took the lead. Turner's cross was half-headed clear as far as Dave Kerney. The former Ruislip Manor forward controlled the ball, and the chance almost seemed to be gone as he worked the ball onto his left foot, but Kerney found the space to shoot and made no mistake to send the Tring followers into raptures.
The last 15 minutes were tense as Tring tired, a couple of the players even suffering from cramp, but they held on, a goal-line clearance from a corner in the last minute proving crucial. They could have sealed the game in injury time when Williams was set clear by a long ball out of defence, but as he closed in on goal, a poor touch allowed Hyatt to come out and claim the ball. In the end it proved not to matter.
Team: McLoughlin, Bainborough, Condon, Campbell, Crofts (Turner), Bray (Jashek), Porter, Dale, Williams, Evans (Morrey), Kearney.