Saturday saw the team fall to our second home league defeat of the season against Harlow Town.
The afternoon got off to an unfortunate start with striker Dylan Whitelock, who had been on fire the previous week, pulling up injured during the warm-up. These things happen and Bailey was drafted in to the starting eleven.

The team got off to a good start and were largely dominating possession during the early stages, playing some lovely passing football which had become the team’s trademark. Whilst the ball spent a considerable amount of time in and around the Harlow penalty box, clear cut chances were few and far between. Ed had a shot on 20mins that went just wide and on 24mins Max was just unable to connect with a ball that fizzed across the 6 yard line. Harlow were struggling to get up the pitch, but on 30mins they created a good chance with a low shot to the near post that Freddie did well to keep out – this was to be Harlow’s only real chance in the first half. The lads continued to try and carve out chances and on 39mins a clever pass from Finn found Ed on the edge of the area and he connected superbly to send a great shot in that looked like a certain goal. However, the Harlow keeper had other ideas and made a great save, tipping the ball over the bar. Half time came with the scores 0-0.

Harlow started the second half at pace and nearly scored almost straight away with a clever lob that went just over. This should have been taken as a warning, but on 50mins the Harlow centre forward seized on a defensive error and coolly finished into the bottom corner to make it 0-1. Tring were again dominating possession but continued to struggle to create chances. It wasn’t until 70mins that the first real clear-cut chance was created, when Dylan’s excellent cross was headed over by Sheps – this felt like a big moment in the game. Harlow were also carving out a few chances of their own and came close on 76mins when their winger cut in and shot just wide.
The lads continued to strive for an equaliser and put Harlow under some pressure, creating a number of late chances. However, it was Harlow who won possession high up again and the centre forward made no mistake with the opportunity and fired home high into the roof of the net on 89 mins.

The final whistle came with the final score 0-2 to the visitors.

Whilst this was a disappointing result, there were many positives to be taken from the game. Once again, we played some lovely football at times and the commitment across the pitch could not be faulted. However, whilst we were dominant, it was the failure to convert the chances we had that really cost us. We must give credit to Harlow, who took their chances when they came and defended stoutly for long periods when they had too.

Onwards – we go again at Harpenden on Tuesday

Team: F.Burroughs, J.Kimber, G,Deer, F.Hercules, M.Hercules, J.Harvey, E.Daffern, F.Rolfe, H.Beaumont, M.Clarke, B.Osborne.
Subs: H.Jones, D.Fitzpatrick, H.Shepard, B.Argent, D.Whitlock (withdrawn)