Tring continued their defence of the Gladwish Challenge Trophy with a 2nd round match away at Bradwell St Peter.
This was the 2nd time we have played Bradwell St Peter this year, having met in the same competition at the semi-final stage last season, back in March, also at their place. That match finished with Tring securing a narrow 1-0 victory, and this match would prove to be equally tight.

The evening started positively enough with John Chidley from Spartan South Midlands League awarding the Respect and Fair Play award for September to the management team before the match. This is in recognition of Tring finishing top of the league for respect and fair play in the month of September.

Once the game got underway, things turned less positive quickly with Tring making a slow start and conceding a goal on just 8 minutes when the through ball was nodded home by Mason Couling just before Freddie in goal could get to it.

Tring settled into the match after this early set back and created chances, but were unable to convert them, until 5 minutes before half time when Harry Jones latched onto a fine through ball to prod a left footed shot under the advancing keeper. Half time 1 - 1.

In the 2nd half Tring continued to create chances, most notably a fine cross from the left by Lincoln which ran just behind Bailey in front of an open goal, and he was unable to get to it in time.

Bradwell then scored on 65 minutes when a long ball over the top evaded our defence, followed by a simple pass across the penalty area to Alfie Gaspar who could not miss with only the keeper to beat. 2 - 1.

Three quick Tring substitutions resulted in Mason moving from defence to midfield, and it proved opportunistic as within 10 minutes of the move Mason scored his first goal for the club thumping in a flick on from James Kimber. 2 - 2.

Then followed a bizarre moment, when Bradwell scored within a minute of the restart, with a goal bound shot being headed in by a Bradwell player stood on the goal line and therefore, surely offside. The linesman flag stayed down, and the referee signalled a goal and several players made their way to the half way line for a restart. Then the referee went over to speak to the linesman and after what seemed like a lengthy conversation the referee signalled no goal and a free kick to Tring. It was like VAR but without the technology! 2 - 2 and on we play.

Just a few minutes later Tring secured the win when Mason scored his 2nd goal for the club, on the same night, with a looping header over the keeper. A remarkable brace for the talented youngster. It is also worth noting that Jamie De Beer came off the bench to make his competitive debut for the first team, stepping up from under 18s and reserve teams. Well done Jamie.

So, we advance to the 3rd round and our defence of the cup we won last season remains alive.

Team: Freddie Burroughs, Liam Mann, James Kimber, Mason Clarke, Greg Deer, Max Hercules, Lincoln Gilmartin, Harry Beaumont, Pablo Kalamaras, Bailey Osborne, Harry Jones. Subs used Jack Harvey, Jamie De Beer and Finn Rolfe. Sub not used Dylan Fitzpatrick.