Sat 5th May 2018
League
TAFC Development team 3-2 Tonbridge Angels F C
TAFC goals: Frankie Hercules, Meshach Hendrickson, Joe Naylor
Our opponents started brightly down the slope but were helped by a basic error in defence in the 3rd minute which resulted in a tidy finish past stand in keeper James Butler. On a pitch baked by the sunshine basic control was hazardous but we tried to play and a great run and cross by Tom Shaw resulted in a header at the far post back across their keeper by Frankie Hercules, for his first of hopefully many senior Tring Athletic goals. Score 1-1.
The game became untidy with neither side dominating until an unnecessary challenge resulted in a free kick which was followed up for Tonbridge Angels to take a 35th minute lead. Score 1-2
At the insistence of "The Management" we changed tack and played up to and off the front men, getting our opponents on the back foot.
Within 5 minutes a Tom Shaw free kick was headed back across goal by Dan Smethers for Mesach Hendrickson nodded in. Score 2-2
Within 10 mins a superb corner again forced by our tactics resulted in a towering header on the far post from Joe Naylor. Score 3-2
Apart from the odd long ball over our defence which we struggled to deal with by poor positioning we kept our visitors fairly quiet whereas at the other end we made and missed several chances notably from Tom Shaw, who,worked hard throughout, and Will Bisney who once again showed lots of promise.
At the back James Byerley and 17 year old skipper Ross Hazel, supported by veteran Dan Smethers, and far be it for me to say, a greatly improved Gareth Terblanche who defended stoutly and in front of them Teddie Paul and Will Salmon were good on and off the ball.
Frank Hercules again took giant strides (metaphorically speaking) towards the Better Hercules Trophy . Joe Naylor and Mesach Hendrickson both worked their socks off. James Shaw who replaced Will Salmon, distributed the ball into good areas with regular precision and Ollie Ruttle worked hard and was very unlucky with a poor bounce denied his chance of a goal.
On Bank Holiday Monday we go to Corinthian Casuals for our 6th in 11 days an amazing effort by this squad. The Under 18 members also, played a League match for their team.
I am confident that a lot of the lessons learnt by the younger lads will stand them in good stead in their future football and ,with the odd incident, I cannot fault their commitment and effort. They are a credit to Cliff and Trevor Hercules their Under 18 Managers.
J.Butler. J.Byerley, D.Smethers, R.Hazel, G.Terblanche. T.Paul, W.Salmon (J.Shaw) J.Naylor. T.Shaw, M.Hendrickson (O.Ruttle), F.Hercules (W.Bisney)