DYLAN PUTS HIS HEAD TO GOOD USE

After what seemed like a short summer break followed by a series of encouraging friendlies it was back to business again with a return to league action at the Michael Anthony Stadium. We kicked off our campaign with an excellent 5-1 win at Potton United on Saturday and our eagle-eyed supporters would have noticed some new faces amongst our ranks namely Freddie Burroughs, James Kinder and Edwin Daffern as well as most of last season’s squad.

Our first guests were Kempston Rovers who were making their second ever trip to Tring having dropped down to the South Midlands from the Southern League in 2024. They finished last season in 16th place and narrowly avoided relegation and didn’t get off to the best of starts to this season losing 3-0 at Harpenden Town on Saturday. However, they proved to be a very strong team and pushed us all the way to the final whistle.

We started well with skipper Greg Deer showing his leadership credentials by getting on the end of a fine cross from Dylan Fitzpatrick (who had been picked out on the right wing with a superb pass by the influential Luke Peerless) but his header went straight to the keeper. Soon afterwards Greg went closer with a shot following a long throw from Dylan which forced the Rovers keeper and captain Kacper Kurylowicz into producing a fine save.

But a goal was not long in coming and was the result of a magnificent move involving 6 players in the 8th minute in which Luke Peerless played a prominent role. He started the move by collecting the ball off Freddie Burroughs in his own area then found Ed Daffern on the left wing with a superb long pass. Ed then played the ball to Harry Beaumont who picked out Max Hercules who then found Luke Peerless in midfield. Luke then had the vision to pass to the unmarked Harry Shepherd who gave the keeper no chance. Shep will rightly get the praise but Luke deserves a lot of credit was well. Score 1-0.

We were playing well but any hopes that we would go on and add to our lead were jolted 4 minutes later when Rovers dangerous winger Natan Mullings cut in from the left wing and smacked a terrific shot into the far corner giving Freddie no chance. Sore 1-1. Eight minutes later our opponents had the chance to take the lead when their centre forward Ayo Akinbobola went on a powerful run forcing a great save from Freddie then firing the loose ball over the bar.

We regain the lead in the 36th minute when exciting new signing Ed Daffern, who has joined us on loan from Boston United, produced an inch perfect cross to the far post to pick out Dylan Fitzpatrick who cleverly headed the ball back across goal past the keeper. Dylan must like Rovers because he scored against them in the same game last season with a superb left foot shot from the edge of the area. This was a game we won 2-0 with Max Hercules the other scorer that day. There were no more goals and we held a slim 2-1 lead at half time. HT Score 2-1.

The second half proved to be more cagey and both sides struggled to create too many clear-cut chances. In the 58th minute Ed Daffern cleverly beat his man and from the bye line picked out Harry Shepherd in front of goal but the keeper and defender managed to keep out Shep’s shot and keep their side in the game. Rovers played some good football and had an opportunity on the hour mark when their giant centre back Michael Donker headed a corner over the bar then midway through the half Natan Mullings struck a fierce long range free kick which young Freddie Burroughs tipped over the bar.

There was no more goal mouth action and we were able to put our game management skills to good effect to run out 2-1 winners. FT Score 2-1.

We remain top of the table although we mustn’t read too much into that at this very early stage but never-the-less it’s a good position to be in. Amazingly after only 2 games there is only one other team in the Premier Division apart from ourselves who have 6 points and that is new comers Sawbridgeworth Town who beat Winslow United 3-2 at home and Wormley Rovers 3-2 away. But there is a long way to go before reading too much into the league table.

Kempston are 2nd from bottom in the table which is a surprise because they are a very good team and on this performance against us they will undoubtedly climb up the table.

Finally the Man of the Match Award went to Mason Clarke who did very well against the oppositions most dangerous player.

Next up we have an exciting FA Cup Tie against West Essex on Saturday. Hopefully there will be a large crowd so get along to the game nice and early and soak up the atmosphere.

TEAMS:
A: Freddie Burroughs, James Kimber, Greg Deer (Capt), Frankie Hercules (Josh Chamberlain 71), Luke Peerless (Blake Argent 79), Max Hercules, Edwin Daffern (Lee Stobbs 88), Dylan Fitzpatrick (Eli Hearn 66), Harry Beaumont (Jack Harvey 61), Mason Clarke, Harry Shepherd.

KR: Kacper Kurylowicz (Capt), Alusine Kamara, Aaron Dada, Cade Shephens-Abbey, Michael Donker, Ashton Grant, Sam Gibson, Ruairi Mills, Natan Mullings, Ayo Akinbobola, Israel Ajana. Subs: Shea Greene, Bogdan Stolboushkin, Ghaalib Yusuf, Aaron Pike, Elijah Muya.

Scorers:

TA: Harry Shepherd (8), Dylan Fitzpatrick (36)

KR: Natan Mullings (12)

Man of Match: Mason Clarke

Crowd: 120