Tring Athletic 1 - 2 Potton United

WE PAY FOR DISATEROUS START TO GAME

Anybody that turned up for this game a bit late would have missed two crucial incidents because within 4 minutes of the kick off we were 2 goals down following some very poor defending. Potton forward Lewis Lynn took full advantage of our generosity to claim both goals. It could have been worse soon afterwards when a corner for the visitors caused chaos in our area before we managed to clear the danger.

There was still 86 plus minutes to go, so there was still plenty of time to get back into the game. A Lee Stobbs crossed was headed against the bar by Eli Hearn and Liam Smyth got on the end of a fine cross from Jack Harvey forcing the keeper Jack Galatis to get down quickly and make a fine save.

The visitors were a threat on the break and their leading scorer Shane Fox got on the end of a good cross to send a header over the bar. Just before the half hour mark we produced a lovely move to set up George Carbery with a great shooting opportunity but unfortunately our skipper sent his shot over the bar.

We had a few half chances with Jack Harvey’s shot at goal having the sting taken out of it by a defender and then Frankie Hercules worked his way through the visitor’s defence but his shot lacked the power to trouble the keeper.

Potton had their opportunities too with Jordan Stevenson just failing to connect with a dangerous cross into our box then a poor defensive clearance went straight to Lewis Lynn who missed the opportunity to grab his hat-trick by wafting his shot over the bar.

The first half ended with the visitors still holding a 2 goal advantage and we had a lot to do to get back into this game. HT Score 0-2.

With us pushing forward in search of a goal we were left a bit vulnerable to quick attacks and Lynn again had sight of goal but sent his effort wide. Soon afterwards Jack Thomson sweetly struck a volley that wasn’t too wide of the target. Sub Nigel Chikamba could have put the game beyond our reach when he broke through on goal but keeper Owen Brooks-Tonkin came out to make a fine save.

With the clock ticking down it was becoming desperation time for us as we pushed Dave O’Connor up front and he nearly delivered from a corner with the ball being cleared off the line. There were calls for a penalty when a Potton defender went down in the area and appeared to handle the ball but 4 minutes from time we were given a possible life line when the Referee awarded us a spot kick much to the chagrin of the opposition. George Carbery converted the penalty to give us a potential chance of getting a draw. Score 1-2.

We piled forward and Frankie Hercules went close when the keeper spilled his shot with the ball going out for a corner. But despite the late rally we could not make up for the sloppy start we made to the game and Potton held on to deservedly take all three points.

A very disappointing and frustrating performance and result which saw us drop down two places to 11th in the table. However, we now have 4 home games coming up so have the opportunity to get back to winning ways starting on Tuesday when Berkhamsted Raiders are the visitors for a St Marys Cup tie followed on Saturday by the arrival of London Lions at The Michael Anthony Stadium.

Team:

TA: Owen Brooks-Tonkin, Lee Stobbs (Greg Deer 57), Harry Jones (Harrison Cornick 78), George Carbery (Capt), Dave O’Connor, Jack Harvey, Harry Shepherd (Harrison Mead 78), Eli Hearn (Noah Butler 25), Max Hercules, Liam Smyth (Jonah Howgego 57), Frankie Hercules.

Scorers:

TA: G Carbery Pen (86)

PU: Lewis Lynn (2,4)

Crowd: 81