13/2/99: Ryman League Division Three
Kingsbury Town 1 Tring Town 2
Thirteen may be unlucky for some but it was not so for Tring as they finally won their first away points of the season at the thirteenth attempt, and in the process got themselves off the bottom of the table.
Tring didn't start the game well, and found the going hard on a bumpy pitch. They eventually settled down and created their first chance on 11 minutes. A slick move opened up a chance for Steve Hale, but the keeper saved his shot, and Ricky Fletcher did not quite get to the rebound quickly enough.
It was another neat move that put Tring in front on the half-hour. Steve Bainborough's ball sent Gavin Hart clear down the right. Hart's cross was met at the far post by Fletcher, who did not hit the cleanest of shots, but the defender who tried to chest it off the line only succeeded in helping it into the net.
Tring only held the lead for four minutes. Gary Bray leapt to head clear a long goal kick from Kenny Lavender, but missed it completely, leaving Niall O'Rourke all alone to run on and shoot past Keith McLoughlin from the edge of the area.
Tring went back in front in first half injury time. Hart's cross was headed down to Hale, who miscued his shot, but Dave Kearney was there at the far post to stab the ball home.
Tring started the second half as poorly as the first. The absence of defender Liam Campbell through suspension was visible as Kingsbury were presented with three good chances early in the half, but McLoughlin was on top form to keep them out.
Kingsbury didn't improve their chances when Gary Dolling was sent off on 73 minutes for a punch that sent Gary Bray to the deck. Tring had some good chances to extend their lead, but their shooting was too wayward. The best chance fell to Hart on 83 minutes, but his shot was saved, and neither Fletcher nor Kearney could force the rebound home.
The home side pressed strongly over the closing minutes, but Tring held on for a welcome three points.
Team: McLoughlin, Bainborough, Turner, Crofts, Condon, Bray, Hart, Dale (St John), Hale, Fletcher, Kearney.