On a lovely Spring afternoon the players produced another winning performance - clocking up their 7th consecutive victory in front of a decent crowd of 176 which was the highest attendance in the Premier Division that day.

Ryan and his coaching team have instilled a winning mentality, which is not easy in such a tough League, which has seen us shoot up the table to 2nd place. With rivals Cockfosters drawing 2-2 at home to Potton United it means we now have a 4 point gap over them. With 8 League games to go our fate is very much in our own hands but there are still plenty of challenges ahead including some big cup matches as well.

Our guests came into the game on a poor run of form with just one draw from their last 12 games which was surprising because they are a very good footballing side packed with talented players. They pushed us all the way and but for a magnificent save by Josh Ameganvi six minutes from the end they might have snatched a draw.

The first half started at a 100 miles an hour and was evenly contested with few scoring opportunities early on. The visitors produced the first meaningful effort on goal in the 16th minute when left back Williams Danquah showed nice skills to create some space and fire a decent shot just over the bar. There were further shots from winger Yashua Smith and Riley Warmerdam but neither stretched Josh in goal.

The best scoring opportunities fell to us with Jack Harvey going close twice with headers firstly in the 24th and then in 39th minute following corners that were played back into the area firstly from Frankie Hercules then Finn Rolfe.

In the 33rd minute we produced a super move that started with Harrison Cornick winning the ball on the edge of our area which was then played forward by Greg Deer to Max Hercules who did the brotherly thing by slipping a nice pass to Frankie whose shot hit the junction of post and bar.

The first half ended scoreless after a fairly even game but we had made the best chances and should have been at least a goal ahead at the break. HT Score 0-0.

Five minutes into the second half we broke the ice with a move that started with a pass forward by Finn Rolfe which was picked up by Max Hercules who produced a lovely flick to send Bailey Osborne through. The youngster kept his cool to slot home his 13th goal of the season and give us a deserved lead. Score 1-0.

Further chances came our way with Harry Shepherd having two good opportunities firstly from a pinpoint cross from Finn Rolfe then after a poor clearance from the keeper but he missed them both which is unusual for Shep because he has been banging them in left, right and centre this season and is not our leading scorer for nothing.

Another good chance came our way in the 77th minute when Harrison Cornick got his head to a free kick that fell to Max Hercules who from close range blazed over the bar.

Our opponents kept playing some nice football but we were bossing the game and Josh was under employed until the 84th minute when our opponents were given a free kick in a good position around 25 yards out. Their Captain and leading scorer Zenon Stylianides stepped up and struck what look like a goal bound shot until Josh produced a flying save to tip the ball away off the post. It was a stunning save and kept our lead intact although it would have been an injustice had we conceded as this was our opponents first meaningful shot on target.

Emboldened by this near miss FC Romania pushed forward looking for an equaliser but we defender well. We thought we had extended our lead when a corner from Harry Shepherd hit the inside of the far post and rebounded to Geoge Carbery whose header was saved by the keeper. There were cries from the players and crowd behind the goal that the ball had crossed the line but the Referee waved play on.

It didn’t matter as two minutes later Kieran Turner scored a long over due second goal. Shep played him away down the left and he cut inside two defenders and fired a shot just inside the left hand post for his 13th goal of the season. It was a classic goal from Kieran and gave us some breathing space. FT Score 2-0.

Full credit to our opponents who played some delightful football but on the balance of chances created we fully deserved the 3 points. It was another good winning performance from the players and it was also a bonus to keep our second consecutive clean sheet.

Max Hercules was deservedly given the Man of the Match award by the Sponsors “The Pub Dogs” and it was great to see the Tring Tornados Girls as the Mascots for the game which provided a great atmosphere at the Stadium and in the bar afterwards.

But there is no resting on our laurels as we have 2 tough games coming this coming week. On Tuesday night we welcome 7th placed Arlesey Town to the Michael Anthony Stadium then on Saturday we travel to 9th placed Potton United both are League games. Hopefully we will see a good turn out to support the lads on their quest to keep our winning run going.

TEAM
TA: Josh Ameganvi, Mason Clarke, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Harrison Cornick, George Carbery (Capt), Jack Harvey (Harry Jones 78), Greg Deer (Harry Beaumont 78), Frankie Hercules (Harry Shepherd 62), Finn Rolfe, Max Hercules (Dave O’Connor 82), Bailey Osborne (Kieran Turner 62).

Scorers:

TA: Bailey Osborne (50), Kieran Turner (90+3)

FCR: -

Crowd: 176

Sponsors Man of the Match: Max Hercules

Mascots: Tring Tornados Girls