2/9/99: FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round

Hullbridge Sports 2 Tring Town 1

Tring's first foray into the FA Youth Cup for a number of years ended at the first qualifying round stage, thanks to a last-gasp winner by the Essex side. Tring's best chances in the first half both fell to James Davies. The first was saved by the keeper, while the second was a volley that went just wide. Poor defending saw Tring go behind on 42 minutes when Hullbridge's Ben Smith was left all alone it front of goal to finish from close range.

Tring carved out an equaliser on 68 minutes when Davies' pass put Tom Brown in the clear, and he found a classy finish from the edge of the area. It looked like going into extra time, but in the last minute Tring were caught on the break, Smith racing clear to score his second and clinch the match at the death. (Report by Alan Lee)

Team: Terry Slaughter, Nick Walter, Wayne Barber, Matt Dodd, Joe Dixon, Luke Arrowsmith, Chris Collins, Tom Brown, James Davies, Ben McGuire, Stewart Reed. Subs (all used): Danny Allen, David Barnard, Chris Salmon

8/9/99: Allied Counties League North Division

Marlow 3 Tring Town 0

The Youth Team started their league campaign with a disappointing result on Wednesday evening away at Marlow. The final score was 3-0 to the home side, however the game was far from as one-sided as the scoreline would suggest.

With James Davies, Kieran Corcoran, Danny Gray and Stewart Reed all out injured, the team played good football for long periods of the game and had the greater possession but lacked the killer touch in front of goal that the home side enjoyed. Ross Coniam making his Tring debut worked very hard and was unfortunate to see two goal-line clearances of his shots having already beaten the goalkeeper. Both Matthew Dodd and Chris Collins gave performances that stood out on a frustrating night for the team.

The home side went ahead with a contentious goal. Tring had good possession when the play was stopped for a head injury to a Marlow player. Instead of playing the ball back, Marlow moved the ball forward from the resulting drop ball and despatched the ball into the net to take the lead. Tring worked the ball into several positive shooting positions but failed to pull the trigger. With Tring camped in the opposition half Marlow went further ahead with a classic breakaway goal in the 35th minute.

After half-time the same pattern emerged with Tring chasing the game and seeing plenty of the ball, with several handball appeals in the box being ignored, but being frustrated as Marlow defended stoutly and once again scored on a breakaway. All in all a very frustrating night for the team who to their credit carried on trying to play football until the final whistle. (Report by Peter Remnant)

29/9/99: Allied Counties League North Division

Oxford City 4 Tring Town 2

Tring's youth side had the odds stacked against from the start, as an arrival only twenty minutes before kick-off time allowed very little time to prepare for the match. Tring were 1-0 down at half time and went two behind soon after the break, but like the reserves the night before they produced a great comeback. Goals from Daniel Allen and James Davies brought the score back to 2-2, but Tring were then hit by the loss of Luke Arrowsmith to injury when they had already used all their substitutes. Oxford took the opportunity to score two further goals against Tring's ten men to clinch the game.

23/2/00: Allied Counties Subsidiary Cup

Uxbridge 2 Tring Town 2
(aet Tring won 4-3 on penalties)

Tring's Youth team was involved in an exciting cup match. Missing a number of 1st string regulars the youth teams' depth of talent came up trumps with a nail-biting 4-3 win on penalties after extra time.

Tring started much the stronger side with a number of flowing moves down both flanks resulting in the Uxbridge keeper bringing off a number of saves from the Tring front runners of Wayne Silk and Ben Billing.

Uxbridge had offered little in the way of attack with a Tring defence well controlled under the leadership of Luke Arrowsmith. But as has been the case with Tring this season a single lapse of concentration allowed a defence splitting ball, to be met by the Uxbridge right midfielder, a soft cross met by a miscued header from the centre forward and Uxbridge were 1-0 to the good. Tring responded immediately, a fine run to the bye line by Danny Gray, followed by a far post cross which was met by Stuart Reed with a first time volley for 1-1.

The half finished with Tring again on top but unable to convert the chances made. Tring started the second half as they finished the 1st and were soon in the lead. A forwarded ball was picked up by Ben Billing and after a fine run into the box laid the ball back to Danny Gray for an easy goal. The half continued in this mode, Tring offering all the invention but unable to finish the task. Uxbridge coming forward on few occasions without offering much, and a comfortable 2-1 victory looked on the cards. However, with this inability to finish teams off, Tring again conceded a poor goal. A hopeful punt forward was collected and stroked in by the underused Uxbridge forward. A nervous final 10 minutes was completed with Tring on the back foot and Uxbridge sensing victory. A couple of last ditch tackles by Luke Arrowsmith and Wayne Barber kept Tring in the game.

Extra time was exciting for those independents in the crowd. As both teams tired chances opened up for both sides and both goalkeepers made some important saves. Darren Clarke pulled off a super save low to his left, pushing the ball on to the post in the last seconds of the game.

Penalties:

Not the best way to win a match but in the end the right result. Danny Gray slotted the fifth Tring penalty to lead 4-3, both sides having missed one each. A nervous Uxbridge player missed the goal completely and a relieved Tring management team and players enjoyed a well hard fought victory.

Thanks must go to Darren Clarke for his goal keeping efforts, the reserve Goal keeper for the last 2 seasons, enjoyed probably his last appearance for the club, as he is moving to Tenerife will his family. The club wishes him all the best for the future in his football career and his family in their new venture.