Youth Team Friendlies 2000/2001

16/08/00: Uxbridge v Tring Town

The Youth side's season kicked off with a very positive start.  A squad of 24 players travelled to Uxbridge on Wednesday evening.  They played in a friendly designed to give all the players their first run out, and for some the new experience of playing under floodlights.

The game was divided into three 1/2 hour stages and proved successful in that every player got at least a half-hour each.  In the first stage Tring, having plenty of early possession, never took advantage of the chances created, and went down 1-0 to a superb individual effort by the Uxbridge striker.

The second period Tring failed to gain control, but were resilient in defence and battled to a 0-0  draw.  The third game again Tring  created well in the early stages, played some controlled football but never gained any supremacy in the vital areas and were beaten 2-1 .  The whole exercise was very productive with good performances coming from Richard Massey, Luke Arrowsmith and Jamie Wells, and considering it's the first time these players have performed together, the future looks very promising.

20/08/00: Tring Town v St Albans City

A big test against a well-drilled St Albans side proved a successful warm up for Tring Youth at Pendley on Sunday afternoon. Both management teams again opted to play three half-hour matches and again it gave the whole squad a chance to impress.

After a slow start in the first game and some players looking out of position, moves from the touchline proved correct. The adjustments made worked to the extent that the side settled down and played good football in patches, but two costly errors let St Albans in for a 2-0 victory.

The second game, with Tring fielding several under 17's was a fast and furious affair. The ground being hard and bumpy didn’t held either team’s efforts in conjuring up something special and the game ended 0-0.

The third game was extended to 40 minutes and with all the changes that had been made, it was difficult to get any cohesion together. But again Tring settled down, and as previously played well in patches, but by not being consistent in their basics, fell two goals behind. The signs that they could fall apart were showing, but the quality of the side began to shine through. Ben Alexandra scored a superb solo goal to peg one back, and the outstanding Richard Massey set up the equaliser with a skilful run and cross down the right flank, giving Ben Wright the opportunity to hammer home from six yards. The game ended 2-2 and the afternoon watched by a large crowd proved to be a winner all round.

23/8/00: Desborough Town v Tring Town

The long journey north to Northamptonshire again proved a good learning curve on and off the field for the youth side. An early meet and a 1.5 hour car trip would see how players react to tiredness and the motivation to go and play after, for some, a day's work. Their reaction was superb and every player deserves credit for attitude and commitment.

The match was a game of "three halves" as previously played. Tring, considering the journey, started out with all guns blazing, Richard Massey firing them into the lead after 5 minutes, and really they should have doubled the score as early chances went begging, but the football and possession play was a vast improvement. A half that Tring should have won comfortably ended 1-1 when Desboro' equalised with a fine headed goal with Tring defenders caught napping.

The next half-hour proved to be Tring's best over the last few games. Creating, defending, passing, all the basics came to the forefront, and they should again have won more convincingly. But it was Richard Massey again, scoring from close distance after a fine effort from Colin Smith was parried by the keeper, that separated the two sides. The pleasing aspect of the first hour's play was the competitiveness of the players and the will to win, and the signs are there that they are beginning to gel.

The last half-hour was too unsettled with a lot of changes due to minor injuries. The team lost its shape in the last 15 minutes and gave away two sloppy goals, one from a penalty. But the hard work and progress was there for all to see.

27/8/00: Northwood v Tring Town

A game of two halves can be the best description of this friendly, played on a very hot Sunday morning at Northwood.

Tring dominated the first 45 minutes, playing some good one touch football and creating several chances.  Defending strongly, winning the battle in midfield, and the front runners causing problems for Northwood's defence.  Tring's persistance was rewarded on the half-hour with a  penalty, but a well-struck shot by Richard Yeatman was well saved by the Northwood keeper. As play flowed from one end to the other, Tring keeper Terry Slaughter made a fine one-handed save by pushing the ball onto the upright.  With Tring then adding more pressure Richard Massey continued his rich vein of form by notching his 4th goal in as many matches to fire Tring into a 1 - 0 half-time lead.

After the interval the rhythm of the side was broken as the changes made found it difficult to settle.  But credit where it's due, they worked hard but found Northwood beginning to get into their stride and gradually take control of the game, as the defence began to tire and midfield lost shape, the last 20 mins Northwood added 3 more goals to their early second-half strike to run out comfortable 4 -  1 winners.  But again, the Tring squad showed what they are capable of achieving, and once settled will prove productive.

30/8/00: Lucas Sports v Tring Town

The final friendly before the real action begins turned out to be Tring's most creditable performance to date.  Against a very senior Lucas side who fielded a team of players with an  average age of at least 25 years, Tring with three 16-year-olds set about the task with great credit.  They made all the early running; playing some very neat touch football, and not looking out of their depth at all. They ran the early part of the game, before taking the lead with a superb Jamie Parkin strike.

In midfield young Daniel Hill was crafting out a lot of skill and Ossie Bilir in the middle with superb vision and passing, gained control of midfield.  Parkin after his goal began to ooze confidence, with his twisting and turning on the ball causing the Lucas defenders a major headache.  Tring should have added to their tally before Lucas equalised from a corner, where their player headed home unchallenged, 1 - 1  being the half-time score with Tring edging the possession and in control.  The second half again starting well and creating many openings with Colin Smith and young Gary McLaughlin going close but couldn't add to the tally.  Lucas then had their best patch of the game, hitting the woodwork twice and were beginning to get on top. But again with good football and a superb passing move, Jamie Parkin slid home his second goal to give Tring a deserved lead.  With the light dimming and the Tring youngsters starting to lose their edge, the Tring defence had a rare lack of concentration to allow Lucas to equalise with a fine lobbed goal, for the game to end 2 - 2.  All credit to the lads for a fine performance.

Summary of results: