DISASTROUS FIRST HALF

Tring traveled to Edgware on a cold clear evening hoping to collect 3 points in an effort to pull clear of the bottom teams in the Premier Division, but that plan went out of the window after conceding 5 goals in a period of 34 minutes in a disastrous first half at Silver Jubilee Park. A spirited 2nd half display was not enough to change much, the Wares running out deserved 5-1 winners.

Tring welcomed back Lewis Todd in goal after illness with Steve Nott-McAire coming in to replace the absent Dave OConner at centre back and Joe Fitzgerald getting his first start in the centre of midfield in place of the suspended Luke Dunstan.

The game itself started very brightly for Athletic with Mark Riddick, Joe Fitzgerald and Max Hercules moving the ball around well. Chris Vardy had a stinging drive well saved by Marsh in the Edgware goal and then a goal bound George Carbery shot was deflected away for a corner. But that was as good as it got.

A cheap free kick given away just outside the area presented the Wares big number 9 Omololu Onabolu the first of his 3 goals, his free kick giving Todd no chance from 20 yards. Just 2 minutes later and it was 2-0 with Luke Durnin cutting in from the left, with his right foot drive again too good for Todd. Todd then made a brilliant save with his feet 60 seconds later. Edgware were making chance after chance against a Tring side struggling to get out of their own half. Then after 35 mins it was 3-0, Athletic losing the ball on a rare breakout, Onabulo getting his 2nd from close range. Four minutes later The big number 9 completed his Hat Trick with the goal of the night, crashing a fierce shot into the top corner from outside the area.

Just when Tring thought things couldnt get worse, 5-0 arrived with 2 minutes of the half remaining HT 5-0


Tring showed a lot of spirit in the 2nd half, with the game already gone. Athletic plugged away well against an Edgware side that seemed happy with their nights work. Both teams making changes with James Butler coming on at half time, along the Connor Church,making his debut in midfield. Again Lewis Todd made a couple of smart saves during the 2nd half and although he conceded 5 goals, he played well in goal.

Chris Vardy and Jack Read saw a lot more of the ball, playing down the slope, and it was Jack's lovely cross with 5 minutes remaining which Chris Vardy smartly side footed home to give Athletic a consolation goal. Final score 5-1

All in all a pretty poor night for an injury ravaged Tring team. A much better performance will be needed at Biggleswade Utd this coming Saturday

Team: 1 Lewis Todd 2 Ben Johnson (James Butler) 3 Colm Parrott 4 Mark Riddick 5 Steve Nott- Macaire (Jack Sunderland), 6 Joe Fitzgerald 7 Max Hercules 8 Sam Jollife (Capt) 9 Chris Vardy 10 Jack Read 11 George Carbery (Connor Church)

Goal: Chris Vardy(85)

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