Tring Athletic vs Keynsham Town

Official Programme

Tring Athletic v Keynsham Town Saturday 7th August 2021 3pm The Emirates FA Cup Match sponsor: The Cook Partnership

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We have a solution that’s both practical and socially responsible. We all know that changing the way we consume energy is something we have to do – but actually doing anything about it is a challenge. Matilda’s Planet came from a little girl’s belief that it’s the job of the ‘grown-ups’ to make sure that the legacy we leave for our children is one both we, and they, can be proud of.

Grassroots Talk

Good afternoon & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium for our first competitive match here since 12th December 2020. In the last 8 months there have been a fair few changes. Ryan Sturges has been brought in as first team manager, our new floodlights have been installed and we’ve seen the official opening of the refurbished clubhouse as Eldo’s Sports Bar. Today we welcome the players, officials and supporters of Keynsham Town as both teams dream of the glory of a cup run. We wish them an enjoyable afternoon and a safe journey home afterwards. Our visitors play in the Premier Division of the Western League and are situated in north Somerset between Bristol and Bath. In the event of a draw this afternoon a replay is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Today’s match sponsor is The Cook Partnership Chartered Accountants and you can find our more about our sponsor on page 17. We have availability on future games (see page 16) including next Saturday’s game please speak to Graham Bright if you are interested. Alternatively you could choose to sponsor your favourite player for the season (page 15) If you are able to volunteer for the club on a regular basis or even just occasionally please speak to a committee member. We are always grateful for extra support.

Next Saturday the first team host Dunstable Town in the league.

Your first opportunity to see the reserves in action at home will be a midweek match on Tuesday 17th August when we host Hertford United. This is quickly followed by home games against Oxhey (21st) Hertford Heath (24th) and Harpenden Town (28th) Entry to reserve team matches is by donation & they would welcome your support. .

Today’s programme

This is the second season of producing online only programmes and we hope to keep improving this offering as time goes on.

This is a work in progress so please let us know what you think. If you click on any of the logos or adverts it should direct you straight to our sponsors websites. This also means we can bring you features such as match highlights at the click of a button.

Today’s programme includes •

Page 6-7 —A message from your chairman Bob Winter

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Pages 8 & 9—Match report Oxhey Jets 1-1 TAFC

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Page 22—Today’s match squads

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Pages 24-25—Introducing our visitors

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Pages 30 & 31 —On this Day, we look back to 2008 and a 4 -2 win against Hertford Town in the opening round of the Herts Charity Shield.

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Page 34&35—Membership details for the season. Already a TAFC Gold member? We are delighted to share with you some new benefits from local businesses.

In future editions we will introduce our reserve and youth teams to you. As always keep an eye on our website for all the latest information, fixtures and results.

Chairman’s Chat Hope this update finds everyone well.

This is one on my favourite times of the year, when we embark on the new season with hope, expectation and certainly excitement. As you will be aware, there have been some significant changes on the playing side – at all levels. I must say how impressed I’ve been with the way Ryan has pulled together the First Team squad, and it’s a squad full of promise.

We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that, whilst there are elements from last season, this is largely a new squad. It will take time for this squad to gel and reach their potential, and it’s important we are patient and fully supportive during the inevitable bumps in the road that will come – and I’m sure we will be. I’m taking a long term view of this ‘project’ we have initiated and am sure Ryan and the team will deliver success. Be sure to enjoy the journey – I certainly intend too.

I’ve been equally impressed with the way Churchy, supported

by Butts, has pulled together the Reserve squad, blending youth with experience and they have played some good stuff pre-season – I’m sure their season will be a good one as well.

Also, very exciting on the Youth side of things with our U18’s & U16’s completing in the Eastern Junior Alliance League – a very high standard indeed. This builds on our strategy to develop clear and defined player pathways from the early stages of youth football, right up to the First Team. A warm welcome to the club to both Daryl Craft and Si Roffey who have joined the club to run the U16’s – they both bring a wealth of experience and I’m very happy to have them at the club.

Things continue at pace off the pitch. We’ve started refurbishment of the Boardroom to create The Ralph Griffths Media Suite, which will look stunning when complete.

This is the next phase of our infrastructure investment plan, and will provide the springboard to develop the social media side of the club and the opportunities that brings. Look out for post-match interviews from Ryan, his management team, players and even myself (if I’m unable to avoid it!) – these will go out on the club’s YouTube Channel and promoted via social media. See page 10 for links to our channels.

In my last updated I hinted at a new First Team strip, and work on this has been ongoing. It’s taken a little longer than planned to finalise but the wait will be worth it I can assure you. We will be planning a big ‘reveal’ event with Sponsors and Members – another one to watch this space.

Finally, I’d like to say a few words regarding volunteering.

With the new season starting, we really could do with some additional help running match days. There are a number of small jobs where we could do with some help with – from putting a team sheet up, to writing a match report. Please do let me know if you can spare some time to help, it really would be appreciated. Without some help there will be some tasks that we will be unable to do, so please do step forward That’s probably enough from me at the moment. Do enjoy the new season. As ever, please either call or email me with any questions or ideas – I’m always happy to talk.

Onwards and upwards!

Cheers Bob

Match Report Tuesday 3rd August 2021 Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Oxhey Jets 1-1 Tring Athletic

Athletic kicked off the 21/22 season with a visit to Oxhey Jets who have been touted as one of the title favourites and always provide a competitive opponent.

Both sides started brightly but without any clear cut chances being created. After a quarter of an hour Chris Blunden received the ball on the edge of the box, turned and shot but saw his effort deflected for a corner.

On the half hour mark came the first talking point. A great through ball found Ollie Butler in space who span and chipped the keeper from just inside the box. Our supporter George Bogdan was perfectly in line to capture the move on video but unfortunately the lineman decided to show everybody his new flag and the goal was ruled out, despite Ollie being played on by two defenders and about 3 yards!

I’m sure these things will even themselves out during the season. Perhaps we had our own bit of luck shortly afterwards when claims for a Jets penalty were waived away and the referee brought play back for an earlier foul outside the box. Half time came and the sides went in goalless.

There was a delayed start to the second period when the floodlights wouldn’t turn on and perhaps this threw us out with a mistake in defence punished by the home team within a minute of eventually getting going. This didn’t deter Athletic. Kieran Turner hit one from 30 years forcing the keeper into a smart save and he was on his toes to tip an Ollie Butler effort onto the bar shortly afterwards.

The equaliser came on 65 minutes. Turner played a nice through ball for Tommy Twelves to run onto and poke the ball past the advancing Oxhey custodian.

With 10 to play a teasing cross was driven in from the left but a lunging Chris Blunden just failed to connect to score against his former club.

Match Report Reflecting on the game manager Ryan Sturges said “ I was pleased with our shape, tempo and the chances created, we definitely feel unlucky not to have picked up all three points against a very strong Jets side who will be a dangerous force this season.”

TAFC David Saunders, Harry Cornick, Cam Brooks, James Ferguson, George Carbery, Ollie Butler, Tommy Twelves, Emmanual Gbejuade, Kieran Turner, Chris Blunden, Frankie Hercules Subs Joe Chott, Chris Vardy Attendance 126

Click on the image below to see Tommy Twelves score our equaliser

Highlights & Social Media Highlights — Wembley 1-4 TAFC Click on the image below to view

Follow, Like & Share… click on the icon to visit our pages

The League

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Milton Keynes Irish Broadfields United Leverstock Green Ardley United Hadley Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Holmer Green Arlesey Town Harpenden Town Leighton Town Oxhey Jets Risborough Rangers Tring Athletic Harefield United New Salamis Crawley Green Flackwell Heath Baldock Town London Colney Dunstable Town

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table as at Thursday 5th August 2021

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1

4 3 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -1 -1 -2 -3 -4

3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Officials Life President Life Vice Presidents

Mick Eldridge BEM David Evans MBE, Barry Johnson, Jean & Les Robins, Ralph Griffiths, Harry Bowden, Pete Stillwell, Alan Foskett, Pete Oakley, Keith Hamilton

Chairman Vice Chairman Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Commercial Manager Match Secretary - South Midlands & Herts Snr Registration Secretary Club Welfare Officer First Team Manager First Team Coach Reserve Team Management EJA Under 18' Management EJA Under 16's Management Sports Physio Football Co-Ordinator Press Officer Website Social Media Programme Editor Groundsman Facilities Manager Membership Secretary Kit Laundering Kit Manager Catering Bar Manager

Bob Winter Tony Stedman & Mark Weston David Blair Tony Stedman Graham Bright Tony Stedman Trevor Langley Kirstie McNeil Ryan Sturges Lee Groves, Kieran Turner Michael Churchill, Ian Butler Michael Churchill, Iain Lorimar David Lawless Vacant Vacant Vacant Keith Eldridge / Colin Sturges Keith Eldridge Keith Eldridge Darrell Bodimeade Bob Winter / Tony Steadman Graham Bright Vacant Vacant Vacant Tash Young

Committee Members Bob Winter (Chairman) Tony Stedman, Ian Butler, Neil Foskett, Graham Bright, David Blair, Mark Weston, Keith Eldridge, Andy Ayres.

Player Sponsorship Why not sponsor your favourite Player's kit, It only costs £50 for a season. If you are interested then please contact the Club on match days or via email on tringathleticfc@hotmail.com.

Player

Sponsor

Temi Bankole

Available

Chris Blunden

Available

Scott Bonner

Available

Cam Brooks

Available

Ollie Butler

Available

George Carbery

Available

Luke Cestrone

Available

Joe Chott

Available

Harry Cornick

Available

Joe Cowan

Available

James Ferguson

Available

Emmanuuel Gbejuade

Available

Frankie Hercules

Available

Ben Johnson

Available

Evan Lamboh

Available

Kevin McManus

Available

Joe Naylor

Available

Jonny Pitts

Available

David Saunders

Available

Tom Shaw

Available

Kieran Turner

Available

Tommy Twelves

Available

Match Sponsorship Why not support the Club by sponsoring a Match.

It only costs £50 and includes free entry for two, access to the boardroom for half-time refreshments and an acknowledgement in the match programme all season.

Contact Graham Bright on 07722 240963 or via email to tringathleticfc@hotmail.com

Saturday 7th August—Keynsham Town Saturday 14th August—Dunstable Town Tuesday 31st August—Holmer Green Saturday 4th September—Arlesey Town Tuesday 7th September—Broadfields United Saturday 18th October—Leighton Town Saturday 9th October—London Colney Saturday 16th October—Flackwell Heath Tuesday 26th October—Harpenden Town Saturday 6th November—Baldock Town Saturday 27th November—Milton Keynes Irish Saturday 11th December—Oxhey Jets Tuesday 28th December—Leverstock Green Saturday 8th January—Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Saturday 15th January—Harefield United Saturday 5th February—Hadley Saturday 12th March—New Salamis Saturday 2nd April—Ardley United Tuesday 19th April—Risborough Rangers Saturday 30th April—Crawley Green

The Cook Partnership Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available

Today’s Match Sponsor

We are Chartered Accountants based in Tring, providing the full range of accountancy, taxation and management solutions.

We provide all the necessary accounting support to enable you to focus on your business.

You may simply need a book-keeping function, a payroll operated or monthly management accounts, or you need year end accounts and tax computations. Perhaps you need your self-assessment tax return prepared or require tax advice ? We have the personnel and experience to meet these needs.

Our aim is to consistently provide a professional, pro-active and prompt service at a cost effective price.

Understanding our client’s business is fundamental to providing a service tailored to their precise needs.

Being approachable and friendly with regular communication is an essential part of the support we provide our clients.

Whether you are considering a change of accountants or you are a new business, we would love to hear from you.

THE COOK PARTNERSHIP Unit 7, The Forum Icknield Way Tring Hertfordshire HP23 4JY

Telephone 01442 891 991

CLICK ON EITHER LOGO TO VISIT OUR SPONSOR’S WEBSITE

Fixture List Tue 3 Aug Sat 7 Aug Sat 14 Aug Tue 31 Aug Sat 4 Sep Tue 7 Sep Sat 11 Sep Tue 14 Sep Sat 18 Sep Sat 2 Oct Sat 9 Oct Tue 12 Oct Sat 16 Oct Sat 23 Oct Tue 26 Oct Sat 30 Oct Sat 6 Nov Sat 13 Nov Sat 20 Nov Sat 27 Nov Sat 4 Dec Sat 11 Dec Sat 18 Dec Tue 28 Dec Mon 3 Jan Sat 8 Jan Sat 15 Jan Sat 29 Jan Sat 5 Feb Sat 12 Feb Sat 5 Mar Sat 12 Mar Sat 19 Mar Sat 26 Mar Sat 2 Apr Sat 9 Apr Sat 16 Apr Tue 19 Apr Sat 23 Apr Sat 30 Apr

D 1-1 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm

Away Home Home Home Home Home Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Home Away Home Away Away Home Away Away Home Away Away Home Away Home

Spartan South Midlands Premier Division FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Oxhey Jets Keynsham Town Dunstable Town Holmer Green Arlesey Town Broadfields United Long Buckby Harefield United Leighton Town Crawley Green London Colney Hadley Flackwell Heath Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Harpenden Town Milton Keynes Irish Baldock Town Ardley United New Salamis Milton Keynes Irish Dunstable Town Oxhey Jets Baldock Town Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Harefield United Holmer Green Hadley Flackwell Heath Leighton Town New Salamis Harpenden Town London Colney Ardley United Arlesey Town Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Broadfields United Crawley Green

Today’s- Squads

Tring Athletic FC

David Saunders Jonny Pitts Ben Johnson James Ferguson Kevin McManus Harrison Cornick Oliver Butler Scott Bonner Joe Naylor Joe Chott Joe Cowan Frankie Hercules Tom Shaw Tommy Twelves Kieran Turner Chris Vardy Chris Blunden Temi Bankole Cameron Brooks Fraser Bryden Luke Cestrone Emmanuel Gbejuade Evans Lamboh Manager - Ryan Sturges

Keynsham Town FC 1. Seth Locke 2. George Rooke 3. Jordan Anstey 4. Scott Saunders 5. Mike Grist 6. Jack Dancey 7. Harley Purnell (C) 8. Jordan Metters 9. Will Hailston 10. Callum Baker 11. Jamie Noble 12. Matt Brown 13. Matt Long 14. Adey Harvey 15. Sam Jones 16. Josh Clark 17. Nathan Curnock 18. Cam Ricketts

Manager:

John Allen

Asst Mgrs

Russ Holt & Josh Bruton

Coache Physio

Jamie Price, Rich Williams

Asst Manager- Lee Groves

Next Up

Dunstable Town Saturday 14th August Kick off 3pm

FREE FREE £7.00 FREE £4.00

Our opponents Keynsham Town Football Club is over 120 years old, having been formed in 1896. In the early days it played at the “Hams” and then moved to “Gaston” in 1910. 1n 1925 the club played in Park Road and then moved again in 1930 to a pitch on Charlton Road. All these grounds have now been built on and there is no evidence of them.

In 1939 the club was disbanded for the duration of the Second World War and was reformed in 1945 when the club found its new home at Crown Fields, where it has played ever since. It was due to the foresight of Roy Neal and Ken Dowling and the Committee at that time that the ground is left in trust to ensure that football can be played for the generations to come. The main clubhouse was built in the 1970’s with new dressing rooms added in 1984 and floodlights in 1989. In recent years the clubhouse has been upgraded and most recently the seats have been replaced, incidentally from the old Williams Stand at Ashton Gate, home of Bristol City Football Club.

The club first played in the Bristol & District League and progressed to the Bristol Premier Combination. The club then moved into the Somerset County League and into the Western League in 1974. The club then found themselves in the first division of the Western League when that league was formed in season 1975/6 but returned to the Premiership in 1978/9 when Town finished as champions and then spent 5 years at the higher level only to find themselves in Division 1 for the start of season 1983/4. The Town then had a barren spell and it did not return to the top flight until 1997, finishing runners up to Melksham Town but the yoyo affect kicked in again two seasons later when the Town again returned to Division 1 only to return again in 2000 finishing runners up to Team Bath. After brief flirtations with the Premier Division in the mid-2000s, the Ks have been in Division 1 for several seasons now.

Fortunes took a turn for the better when Chris King and Sean Day took over management duties in September 2014. Their first full season in charge, assisted by coach Russell Holt, saw the club finish within 10 points of the Division 1 winners. Then 2016-17 saw Keynsham’s best season for 15 years as we narrowly missed out on promotion, despite amassing 81 points. Chris and Sean both decided to step down from their roles in May 2017, but the club were fortunate enough to procure the services of John Allen from Wells City. John was a key figure in Wells’ promotion and Somerset Premier Cup double in 2015-16.

Russ Holt stayed on and became John’s Assistant Manager.

Keynsham Town After agonisingly amassing an excellent 89 points but only finishing third in 2017-18, the club cemented all the hard work both on and off the pitch by storming to the Division One championship in 2018-19. A run of 24 wins from the last 26 games saw the Ks accrue 93 points and comfortably win the title by 9 points. This season sees the Ks back in the Premier Division for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

Away from the first team the Town were developing their football club with the introduction of a reserve side in 1987, who also won promotion to the Premier Division of the Somerset County League last season. The most noticeable achievement was the winning of the Somerset Senior Cup in 2003, the first time in 45 years, beating Westlands at Clevedon’s Hand Stadium.

In 1988 an Under 18 Youth team was formed, competing in the Somerset Floodlight Youth League. In 2006/7 they were promoted to the First Division of this league and to complete the circle an “A” team was formed in 1993 to compete in the Bath & District League; they are now in the Bristol & Suburban League. Both these sides were formed to support the growing number of players from within the Club’s successful youth section and to provide that important step between junior and adult football.

The Town’s junior section has several sides playing competitive football on a regular basis. The club sees the progress of its junior club as the keystone to the club’s future development and playing success of the senior club with the sights set firmly on the local community for its inspiration and future success.

With all the teams within the Town family, including the Ladies’ teams covered later in the programme, we have over 25 teams playing regularly for the Club.

With a club of such size and diversity, it is an honour to be designated as a Community Development Club, the highest level of the FA’s Charter Standard initiative, something the club treasures and has set its stall out to operate under the ethos of the Charter.

Today’s Officials Referee

Julian Davies

Assistant Referee Assistant Referee

Paul Mihalache Tan Chaolun

Player of the Match

Player of the matchSponsored by

This afternoon’s player of the match is sponsored by Perry’s Electrical and Plumbing Solutions.

Contact John Perry on 07974 823069 for a quote & please mention Tring Athletic when doing so.

THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF “NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE To quote that old 70s Number One ‘Welcome Home’. Yes the eagerly awaited return to competitive league football and fans being allowed back in since the 19th December 2020 after what has been some eventful and worrying times that this Country has faced for some considerable time. The summer break has seen the SSML undergo many changes following the upward movement and reshuffle by the FA. Departing the SSML for pastures new are Colney Heath (upwardly moved to Step 4), Biggleswade United, Edgware Town, Enfield Borough, Eynesbury Rovers, Hillingdon Borough, London Lions, Newport Pagnell Town, North Greenford United, Park View, Potton United, Rayners Lane, St Panteleimon and Wembley, while two clubs Mursley United and MK Gallacticos have withdrawn from the SSML. Of course the FA movements have seen Hadley, Holmer Green, Risborough Rangers (both first team and development team) and Thame Rangers (albeit they are now known as Thame United Reserves) returning to the SSML while Ardley United, Burton Park Wanderers, Eynesbury United, Flackwell Heath, Irchester United, Kidlington Reserves, Letchworth Garden City Eagles, Long Crendon, Milton Keynes College Football Academy, Northampton Sileby Rangers, Penn & Tylers Green, Raunds Town, Rushden & Higham United and Wellingborough Whitworth have become members. The break also saw myself a casualty of Covid, I caught the infection whilst enjoying a five week free Government Holiday (as I am reminded constantly by one SSML club Chairman) at York Hospital, still later in these ramblings he will get his payback. May I wish all the SSML Management Committee, all the SSML clubs and their hard working volunteers all the best for the coming season and fingers crossed with can have a full complete campaign.

TUESDAY 3rd AUGUST/WEDNESDAY 4th AUGUST—MIDWEEK HEADLINES

The new campaign kicked off with plenty of goals, the opening 19 fixtures saw the back of the net bulge 72 times with an average of 3.79 per game. Leading the way were Wellingborough Whitworth with seven, Winslow United with five while six clubs struck the target four times each. No less than 10 games attracted three figure crowds and Crawley Green played a competitive game at home in front of fans for the first time in seventeen months. Hopefully we will get a full season in and the goals and returning fans continue PREMIER DIVISION Title favourites Leighton Town attracted the biggest crowd midweek as they entertained Risborough Rangers on their return to the SSML following their upward movement by the FA. The 337 packed into Bell Close were treated to a hard fought entertaining affair with honours even following a 1-1 draw. Early table toppers are Milton Keynes Irish, who have stepped up a level under the recent FA restructure and they made themselves right at home as they showed no nerves by winning 4-0 at Dunstable Town thus ending a run of three defeats from their last three opening day fixtures. You have to go back to 2008/09 to find the last time Harpenden Town lost their first league game of the season, a record they continue to hold as they drew 11 with visiting Arlesey Town in a game of two penalties, the visitors levelling in the dying minutes thus ensuring their run of remaining unbeaten on opening day continued as it stretched to four games. Leverstock Green after a run of five successive opening day defeats finally broke that unwanted statistic and gave new manager Fergus Moore the perfect start with a 2-0 home success over Baldock Town, the only home win in the Premier Division on the night. Another club returning to the SSML with the FA restructure are Hadley and they made it a winning return with a solitary goal success at Crawley Green, the game marking the return of fans to The Brache for the first time since March 2020. Broadfields United clocked up their fifth successive unbeaten start to a season with a fine 4-1 win on the road at London Colney while Ardley United won 1-0 at Flackwell Heath in a SSML fixture instead of a Hellenic League game with both clubs moving Leagues in the summer reshuffle. Elsewhere it was honours even as Aylesbury Vale Dynamos fought back from 0-3 down to snatch a late equalizer at ten man Holmer Green, the hosts, and another club returning to the SSML picking up an unwanted red card. Finally Oxhey Jets remain in search of an opening day league win as they were held 1-1 by visiting Tring Athletic.

The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt A weekly column courtesy of the SSML Fixture Secretary

DIVISION ONE The FA summer restructure has brought about big changes in Division One with just nine clubs remaining from the last campaign with one of these clubs Stotfold drawing in a healthy crowd of 317 as they welcomed neighbouring Letchworth Garden City Eagles, the Eagles having moved upwards from the Herts County League, found themselves ahead early on but the hosts showed why they are one of the title favourites to hit back to win 4-1. Newcomers Wellingborough Whitworth are the first table toppers of the new campaign as they swept aside another of the newbies Irchester United 7-1. Winslow United are another side who expect to be in the title race and they showed why with a 5-0 home success over London Tigers, the visitors are now eight seasons without an opening day win. Amersham Town were probably the happiest club on opening night as their 2-0 home success against Thame United Reserves ended their wait for a three point start, the drought going back to 2008-09. The first Division One fixtures of the new campaign brought about an average of 4.7 goals per game with both Long Crendon and Northampton Sileby Rangers enjoying a four goal haul on their travels. LC raced into a four goal lead at Penn & Tylers Green before two late goals by the hosts reduced the deficit. NSR eased their way past their former fellow United Counties League opponents Raunds Town to secure a 4-1 win. Ampthill Town recorded their sixth successive opening league fixture win when they defeated neighbouring Langford 4-1, for the visitors it was a fourth successive defeat on opening day. Elsewhere on Tuesday night it was honours even as Buckingham Athletic were held 1-1 at home by newbies Kidlington Reserves while two former United Counties League sides, Rushden & Higham United and Burton Park Wanderers, shared the points in a 22 draw. Wednesday night saw another three figure crowd (the fifth in the Division for opening fixtures) as Bedford edged out neighbours Shefford Town & Campton by the odd goal in five.

AND FINALLY The long break from football has allowed clubs to spruce up their stadiums be it new builds, a fresh lick of paint along with preparing the perfect playing surface for the new campaign. One club, Oxhey Jets, have been busy and are in the process of installing a new stand solely for disabled fans, they are currently awaiting the roof before their new ‘Tom Lake Memorial Stand’ will open to what I believe will be the first such stand in the Spartan South Midlands League.

Oxhey Jets have also splashed out big to purchase a new directors box (pictured below) for their long suffering chairman.

Former SSML referee Bob Trinder has been forced to give up the game and is currently in hospital and as a result his family have set up a JustGiving page to raise £500 for home improvements to allow Bob to return home, the link is listed below if you can help. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/BobTrinderscharitymatch? utm_term=eG7yVa2av&fbclid=IwAR1uYpDrYjOf5UC2Q9S_0cUnpczGX40j9rrftZ1DVmdlDNaWhAKp-MYF70 The Twittersphere was lacking in humorous tweets on opening day so for the first and I stress only time the tweet of the week goes to me for this gem, Amazing all these SSML team sheets being posted and I cannot find any trace of that preseason superstar A. Trialist.

On This Day—5th August 2008 Three second half goals booked our place in the 2nd round of the Herts Charity Shield and ensured that our bid to retain the trophy we lifted back in May stayed on course.

This was a tough opener for the season and although Hertford have lost a few players this is not an easy place to win at. We played a more adventurous 4-4-2 formation with new signing Andy Mullins playing up front alongside last seasons leading scorer Mark Burfoot, and the ex Berko Town player did not disappoint, with a dream debut that saw him score 2 and set up a goal for his strike partner. Other new comers in the side included keeper Dave Clark and central defender Henry Thomas, with Simon Williams and Steve Smith coming off the bench for Danny Gray and Dave Whicker respectively. The other new signing Graham Hall has only just returned from holiday so did not come on but he will surely get a run out soon.

In the previous 2 seasons our games against Hertford have produced 34 goals in 6 matches which works out to nearly 6 per game, so this encounter kept up the average.

The home side have lost the prolific Ryan Redford but have replaced him with Dean Harding, formerly of Potters Bar Town and Arlesey Town and he formed an effective partnership up front with the wily Kevin Cooper. The home side had the better of the play until early in the 2nd half when a controversial decision saw their skipper Kevin Kilroy sent off and then soon afterwards we took the lead from a penalty. After that the game swung out way although Hertford still kept plugging away looking to get something out of the match.

The crucial moment came in the 54th minute when Kerry Gordon tackled Chris Spiteri with a hard challenge and as the ball spun up into the air Kevin Kilroy decided to catch it because he obviously thought it was a foul and his side should have been awarded a free kick. The Referee disagreed and showed him his 2nd yellow card and then a red for deliberate handball. One school of thought was that the Referee was applying the rules and that it was up to him to control the game and not a player the other view is that he should have used some common sense and warned the player without recourse to a card over what was an unusual situation. We will not comment on the incident except to say that it definitely changed the game and the advantage passed to us.

A heavy down pour in the first half probably didnt help the players and it took a while for both teams to get back into the competitive swing of things and settle down. Dave Whicker nearly picked out Danny Gray with a great cross after the winger had made a good run into the box, and Dean Harding clipped in a cross with his left foot from the right which Dave Hunt mishit into the air allowing Dave Clark to gather easily. The first real chance fell to Kevin Cooper when a sliced shot fell invitingly to him but his effort went straight at Dave Clark. Mark Burfoot flicked on a nice header and the home keeper Grant Hamilton was quickly off his line to deny the on rushing Danny Gray and Andy Mullins.

The home team were looking the more dangerous with the lively Dean Harding linking up well with Kevin Cooper. We started to give away far too many free kicks around our area which fortunately did not amount to anything although Joel Maybury tested Dave Clark with a firm long range shot following a set piece. In the 39th minute Chris

Spiteri easily avoided a lunging challenge and sent Dean Harding through into the inside left channel in our area.

Hertford Town 2-4 TAFC The diminutive number 9 then clipped an astute pass into the stride of Kevin Cooper who gratefully took the opportunity to put his side 1-0 ahead. Straight away a short corner was given to Ty North on the right and his left foot shot cum cross just whistled past the far post. But we didnt have to wait long to respond, Andy Mullins latched onto a massive headed clearance from Paul Aldridge to shoot past the keeper to open his account for Athletic and level the scores in the 41st minute. This perked us up and some neat play on the right between Dave Whicker and Andy Mullins, saw the latters fierce shot cleared by the defender into the relieved arms of his prostrate keeper. At half time the score was 1-1.

We started the 2nd half very sloppily giving the ball away far too easily and also committing fouls in dangerous positions on the edge of our area. From one such free kick Chris Spiteri flashed in a shot which Dave Clark pushed wide and fortunately for us there were no home players lurking around to snap up the opportunity.

There was chaos in our defence when Kevin Copper was allowed to waltz through the middle and we had a lucky escape when he shot wide of the goal. Then came the incident involving Kilroy and 4 minutes later in the 58th minute we were awarded a free kick on the right for a foul on Kerry Gordon. Ty North whipped the ball in with his left foot and Nicky Marsh handled. A penalty was awarded and Dave Whicker made no mistake from the spot to put us 2-1 ahead.

That was the turning point and full marks to the players for taking full advantage of the extra player. In the 66th minute Danny Gray robbed a defender and slipped a pass to Andy Mullins who crossed for Mark Burfoot to smash us into a 3-1 lead. Hertford continued to attack but left big gaps at the back and goal scoring opportunities started to spring up. Andy Mullins had a shot saved by the keeper and the ball came out to Dave Whicker, who decided to cross it rather than attempt to lob it into the empty net. In another attack Mark Burfoot slipped past the challenge of the keeper who appeared to catch him, but calls for a penalty were turned down.

Both sides made changes with Dave Foskett, Simon Williams and later Steve Smith coming off our bench.

Hertford surprisingly pulled off Dean Harding and put on the speedy Mark Karikari as well as bringing on Shane Williams for Nicky Marsh. In the 78th minute we appeared to put the game beyond our opponents reach when Dave Whicker found Andy Mullins on the far side of the area and Andy cleverly created enough space to fire a shot low past the keeper for his 2nd goal and to put us 4-1 ahead. But Hertford were far from finished and with Kevin Copper in their side they always had hope. He had seen a previous shot deflected wide when he latched onto a pass in the 83rd minute. He showed lovely skill to beat a couple of players before finding the back of the net for his 216th goal for Hertford, a new club record. With 7 minutes still to go it gave the home side some hope but we managed to keep them at bay to secure a useful 4-2 victory, our 2nd win at Hertingfordbury Park having triumphed 1-0 there in March 2007.

Athletic: Dave Clark, Kerry Gordon (Capt) (Dave Foskett 73), Ty North, Paul Aldridge, Henry Thomas, Chris Salmon, Dave Whicker (Steve Smith 79), Trevor Gibbs, Mark Burfoot, Andy Mullins, Danny Gray (Simon Williams 73). Subs not used: Rob Duncan, Graham Hall. Athletic Goals; Andy Mullins (41, 78), Dave Whicker P (58), Mark Burfoot (66) Hertford Town: Grant Hamilton, Shaun Crossley, Joel Maybury, Kevin Kilroy (Capt), Glenn Draper, Pany Panayiotou, Dave Hunt, Nicky Marsh (Shane Williams 73), Dean Harding (Mark Karikari 73), Kevin Cooper, Chris Spiteri. Sub not used: Arvon Salisbury. Hertford Town Goals: Kevin Cooper (39, 83)

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