18/9/99: Ryman League Division Three

Tring Town 2 Dorking 0

Tring have some points on the board at last after an excellent display which saw them overcome previously unbeaten Dorking. Tring's forward line was boosted by the addition of Wayne Gladdy, who gave some promising performances in the first half of last season but was left in the cold when Dennis Bainborough took over. On the evidence of this game, he looks like forging a fruitful partnership with Matt Rawdon.

Tring made a very bright start to the game, and deservedly took the lead after just eight minutes. Paul Aldridge got on the end of a free kick at the far post with a header which hit the bar. Rawdon got his head to the rebound first to nod his second goal of the season.

Tring continued to dominate and could have gone further ahead on 24 minutes when Gladdy made a strong run into the box, but the keeper came out quickly to block his shot. On the half-hour Rawdon shot just wide after a quick turn. Dorking offered little threat in the first half, but Keith McLoughlin did well to save a close-range header from the unmarked Adrian Moses on 40 minutes.

Tring should have gone into the break with a bigger lead, but it only took until three minutes into the second half to double their lead. Rawdon received a long throw from Mark Underwood on the edge of the six yard box with his back to goal, turned quickly and slotted the ball home neatly.

Dorking responded by bring on big striker John Edwards and playing with three up front. The new formation caused Tring a lot more problems. On 66 minutes Edwards burst through on a solo run but McLoughlin saved his shot well. On 74 minutes Aldridge cleared a shot from Sion Howard off the line. McLoughlin pulled off more excellent saves to deny a header from Edwards on 81 minutes and a free kick from Howard two minutes later.

Tring were having to defend with driving rain in their faces, but were not to be denied the win or the clean sheet, and will look forward to Tuesday night's trip to Croydon Athletic with renewed confidence.

Team: McLoughlin, Underwood, Simpson, Turner, Aldridge, Dale, Gerrard, McKane, Rawdon, Gladdy (Sangster), Groves.