Tring Athletic 0 - 1 Leverstock Green

Report by Colin Phillips

ATHLETIC EDGED OUT IN CUP FINAL

On a damp and grey day in Hemel Hempstead, Tring’s exciting season ended on a bit of a low note as neighbours Leverstock Green triumphed in a close game to win the St Marys Cup for only the second time in their history.

Backed by the usual good support, Tring started brightly down the slope with Mead prodding and probing and Oppong a handful. Indeed, Oppong struck the side netting on 7 mins just after Negraru had pulled off a decent save at the other end – diverting a Levy shot onto the post.

The game surprisingly was not matching up to the comfortable victory Athletic had just a month ago at Pancake Lane. Levy Green were stronger and sharper and had territorial advantage without creating that much in the way of clea- cut chances. Plenty of half chances and shots but nothing gilt edged. Tring were very much camped in their own third, but Oppong did break away to drive wide on 20 mins.

But momentum was building and Levy got their rewards on 35 mins. Ex Athletic striker Blunden struck a powerful free kick from 20 yards and, although Negraru got 2 hands to it, the ball ended up in the roof of the net. 1-0.

Briefly Tring rallied. A Cornick header was cleared off the line from a corner and Delguardio blazed the follow up over. At half time Tring were deservedly In arrears but they came out with more intent in the second half.

On 53 mins a golden opportunity was presented as the Levy centre half was flustered by the presence of Oppong and let the ball through. The Tring striker was 1 on 1 with plenty of time. His first effort was saved and the follow up was blazed wide when it looked simpler to score. Tring were not to know that this was to be their main chance of the game.

Buoyed on by excellent support from the Tring Army ,who turned the terrace Tring were attacking into a Red and Black version of “The Wall” at Dortmund (sort of), the lads were on top. They were struggling to break the opposition down, however. Delguardio tried a Hugo Sanchez but smashed his overhead kick wide. Countless balls from set pieces and open play were tossed into the box but nobody was able to get on the end of them. Farruch has a shot deflected over. The Tring Ultras bayed for a penalty after a clumsy challenge in the box but nothing was given. Tring got more and more frantic and Levy threatened on the break. Yet there was an air of inevitably to the proceedings and Tring finished 2nd best.

A disappointing end to an exciting season. Well done to Leverstock Green – who probably deserved to win on the day. Let’s hope Sturges, Groves, Richardson and Vipond can keep this exciting young team together and provide a real challenge for their fans next season.

TAFC – Negraru, Hearn, Sawyer, Cornick, Carbery, Shepherd, Harvey, Mead, Farruch, Delguardio, Oppong. Subs – Mann, Shortt, Deer, Peerless, Pobbe.