BAILEY SHINES IN NARROW WIN

In midweek we engaged in a full-blooded encounter at League leaders Winslow United only to be unlucky to exit the Challenge Trophy on penalties. Any thoughts that 4 days later we could take it easy against a struggling Dunstable Town, who sit at the bottom of the Premier Division with their last victory coming back in October last year, were badly misplaced,

The visitors were 2 goals down at the interval but came back heroically in the second half and will be disappointed at leaving Tring empty handed. It was a classic case of a game of two halves and they certainly pushed us all the way and we were pleased to hear the final whistle.

Before the game there were presentations made to three loyal players on reaching 200 games for the club namely Max and Frankie Hercules and Greg Deer. It is also interesting to note that this was Ryan Sturges 252 game as First Team Manager.

We started well with Bailey Osborne looking lively and shooting just wide after only 7 minutes. Harry Shepherd and Jack Harvey were just unable to put away a chance following a shot from Harry Beaumont on the half hour mark and then a minute later Shep hooked a shot just wide after being picked out by a Dylan Fitzpatrick cross.

We were very much in control when following a scramble in the opposition area in the 36th minute Bailey Osborne cleverly back headed the ball but was denied a goal by a defender clearing the ball off the line.

But Dunstable’s relief was short lived as almost immediately Max slipped the ball to Harry Shepherd who produced a masterful shot from around 25 yards that gave the keeper no chance. Shep has been in terrific form and this was the 4th game on the trot that he has found the net. Score 1-0.

A second goal followed 8 minutes later following a super move that started from defence that led to Jack Harvey’s precise pass releasing Harry Jones down the right wing and his cross into the box was smashed into the net by Bailey Osborne. Score 2-0.

Four minutes later we went mighty close to making it 3 nil when from Dylan Fitzpatrick’s clearance Shep and Max combined to release Bailey down the left and his super cross was met firstly by Jack Harvey and then Harry Jones who stabbed his shot against the post.

The first half came to a close with us in a commanding position with our opponents having hardly put a glove on us but little did we know that things were about to change in the second period. HT Score 2-0.

Whatever the Dunstable Management Team said at half time needs to be bottled and sold because they were a completely different side from the kick off. They were helped by pulling back an early goal two minutes into the second period when a well flighted free kick from Kodi Briggs was not cleared by our defence and Alex Butt was able to head in from close range to give his side genuine hope. Score 2-1.

This completely rejuvenated our opponents and we struggled to get a grip of the game and we had to withstand some periods of pressure. The oppositions lively sub was a handful and he broke through down the inside left channel in the 67th minute but he shot straight at Josh who was able to make a comfortable save. Josh was called upon again 5 minutes later this time making a save with his feet following a long throw,

We were still a threat on the break with Liam Mann intercepting a pass and then finding Max who picked out Harry Shepherd on the far side of the area with a fine pass. Shep’s well struck effort forced a good save from keeper Sam Carman.

With 2 minutes of normal time left we looked like we had put the game to bed when from Dylan Fitzpatrick’s pass Bailey Osborne produced a terrific dummy to wrong foot the defender and then race through and square the ball to Dylan Whitelock to slot home his 14th goal of the season. Score 3-1.

However there was more drama to follow as three minutes later former Athletic player James Sales produced a lovely right foot volley to give his side renewed hope. Score 3-3.
However, we were able to see out the game and claim the 3 points but full marks to Dunstable for turning things around on the second half and pushing us all the way right to the end. FT Score 3-2.

The win pushes us up one place to 8th in the table and we are only 2 points away from the Play Offs although all the teams above us have games in hand.

There were some surprise results with Biggleswade United losing 2-1 at home to Risboro Rangers, Harlow Town beating Winslow United at home by the same score with Sawbridgeworth Town also going down 2-1 at Potton United. It means that Haringey Borough (who won 2-1 at home to Welwyn) are now top of the table with Winslow slipping down to 2nd place, although they have 2 games in hand. Competition for promotion looks much tighter this season and may go down to the wire.

Man of the Match rightly went to Bailey Osborne who was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition defence and scored our 2nd goal and set up the winner for Dylan Whitelock.

On Saturday we entertain Cockfosters who had a magnificent 4-2 win over Droylsden on Saturday to reach the FA Vase Semi-Finals and are one game away from appearing at Wembley. Cockfosters have between 3 to 5 games in hand over the teams above them and are still very much in the hunt for promotion and they will present a tough challenge on Saturday.

TEAM:

TA: Josh Ameganvi, Liam Mann, Greg Deer, James Kimber, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Jack Harvey (Capt), Harry Beaumont, Harry Shepherd, Max Hecules, Harry Jones (, Bailey Osborne.

Scorers

TA: Harry Shepherd (36), Bailey Osborne (44), Dylan Whitelock (88)

DT: Alex Butt (47), James Sales (90+1)

Crowd: 236

Man of the Match: Bailey Osborne