Tring Athletic vs Harefield United

Official Programme

Tring Athletic v Harefield United Saturday 15th January 2022 3pm Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Match Sponsor— The Cook Partnership

About Matilda’s Planet Some years ago Matilda, Social Entrepreneur David Evans MBE‘s five year old daughter, told him he should take more responsibility for the environment. Her words prompted him to establish Matilda’s Planet.

At Matilda’s Planet we are committed to finding solutions to our energy problems. The company’s values are to be socially responsible, sustainable – and to provide practical solutions to the real problem of keeping your house warm.

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 the visit of Harefield United. We welcome their players, officials and supporters and wish them a safe journey home afterwards. These programme notes are being written on Friday night & it’s a frosty one out there. The top 6 yards of the pitch and area in front of our stand are always late to thaw but we hope to see some football played this weekend. Last Saturday the pitch was too wet for the visit of Aylesbury Dynamos and seeing the state of other pitches where games had gone ahead, Darrell will have breathed a sigh of relief!

Our match sponsors this afternoon are The Cook Partnership , a firm of chartered accountant based on the Icknield Way Industrial Estate and we thank them for their ongoing support. Find out more about them on page 7. We still have match sponsorship availability on future games (see page 15) including our home game against Hadley, so please speak to Graham Bright if you are interested.

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.

Action below from TAFC 1-1 Harefield in September 2014. Click on the image to read the match report & for more pictures

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 8 - A selection of items on show from our club shop

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Page 20— Today’s match squads

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Page 22-23—Introducing our opponents

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Pages 29 & 30 —On this Day, we look at a 3-0 win at Hatfield United from 2011.

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As always keep an eye on our website for all the latest information, fixtures and results.

Chairman’s Chat

Happy New Year! I hope you had a good break and are all ready for 2022.

I think it’s fair to say the road continues to be bumpy for the First Team in terms of results, but some really promising signs. Unfortunately I missed the Leverstock Green game through illness, but by all accounts it was a very good performance in the main, with the result influenced by a sending off at the start of the second half. It seems a lack of discipline cost us the dearly.

However, I was at Risborough Rangers on Saturday and what a terrific performance that was against the runaway and unbeaten league leaders – Ralph Griffith’s excellent match report is well worth a read and sums things up perfectly with the headline ‘Youngsters do us Proud’. I was certainly very proud of the way the team played and we should have come away with something from the game other than the plaudits from both our opponents and all those I spoke to who attended. We must build on this performance now and get some points in the bag.

Some exciting things happening away from the First Team with Reso’s, U18’s and U16’s continuing to impress. It’s no accident that we have seen a number of youth team players making their First Team debuts recently, and we really do have an excellent pipeline of talented young players – David Lawless, Daryl Craft and Si Roffey are doing an excellent job with the youth set up, with Michael Church giving young players great experience with the reserves.

We are also aiming to get Ladies football up and running at the club once more. I think this is an important move for the club as we look to broaden and be more diverse. We have a talented coach on board and will be holding trials shortly. I know my daughter, Lucy, will be keen to join.

That’s it for now except to say I hope you enjoy the game.

Onwards & upwards Cheers Bob

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.

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

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

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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

TAFC—Club Shop Take a look at our new club shop in association with O’Neills. Click on any of the items below to take you to our page with branded leisurewear and accessories.

Highlights & Social Media Watch highlights of the 2-3 loss against Leverstock Green by clicking on the picture below

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

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

20 21 22 20 23 21 22 20 20 21 19 23 22 19 20 18 21 19 20 21

17 16 13 14 12 11 10 10 9 8 8 7 6 6 6 7 5 4 3 3

3 1 5 2 2 4 5 2 2 4 3 3 5 4 4 1 2 2 4 4

Table as at Friday 14th January 2022

0 4 4 4 9 6 7 8 9 9 8 13 11 9 10 10 14 13 13 14

50 34 32 22 14 7 3 13 -1 -16 8 -31 -17 4 -6 -9 -43 -15 -18 -31

54 49 44 44 38 37 35 32 29 28 27 24 23 22 22 22 17 14 13 13

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 Assistant Manager First Team Coaches First Team Technical Advisor Goalkeeping 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 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 Gareth Jackson Ian Richardson Gary Looker Michael Churchill, Ian Butler Michael Churchill, Iain Lorimar David Lawless Vacant Vacant Vacant Keith Eldridge / Colin Sturges Keith Eldridge , Terry Adams Keith Eldridge Darrell Bodimeade David Whicker Graham Bright Vacant Tash Young

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

Pendley Day Nursery is a brand-new nursery set in a unique setting in the heart of Tring, and provides quality childcare and development opportunities for children aged 6 months - 5 years.

We have created a premier nursery, which will provide a fantastic experience for your child to enable them to 'Grow, Learn & Develop'. Just read our TESTIMONALS page to see the lovely things parents are saying about us.

The nursery has both expansive indoor and outdoor space, and provides an ideal environment for children to learn and play in a safe and secure environment.

Pendley Day Nursery is led and managed by leading childcare practitioner Natasha Young, who is also part owner of the nursery.

Natasha is Level 6 qualified and she and her team will provide the highest of quality care and development opportunities for your child.

We will ensure that your child's best interest are at the heart of everything we do.

We have invested significantly in the setting and, with lots of brand new equipment and toys, we offer the highest of standards throughout.

Our excellent facilities include: • Fully trained, dedicated staff – many at level 3 and above • Fully equipped kitchen and trained cooks (hot lunch, tea and snacks) • Large play areas, inside and out • Large, safe front car park for easy drop off and collection • Open 8.00 – 18.00, Monday – Friday (51 weeks) • Flexible hours (mornings or afternoons) • Dedicated to children 6 months – 5 years The nursery is run by local owners who, through their team, are committed to providing stimulating activities in a caring environment, promoting all aspects of children’s development.

From The Dugout We are delighted to bring our second episode of hosted by Damon Wood.

From The Dugout aims to bring you interviews and news from our management teams, players and others around the club. Click on the image below to watch episode 2 which features a discussion with first team manager Ryan Sturges talking about our first league win of the season, a new kit and a presentation for Alfie Brittain.

Please comment, like and subscribe to our YouTube Channel so that you can tune in to future episodes

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 Tuesday 31st August—Holmer Green Saturday 4th September—Harpenden Town Saturday 18th October—Leighton Town Tuesday 21st October—Dunstable Town Saturday 9th October—London Colney Saturday 16th October—Flackwell Heath Tuesday 19th October—Broadfields United Saturday 6th November—Baldock Town Tuesday 23rd November—Hitchin Town Saturday 27th November—Milton Keynes Irish Tuesday 30th November—Arlesey Town Saturday 11th December—Saffron Walden Town Tuesday 28th December—Leverstock Green Saturday 15th January—Harefield United Saturday 5th February—Hadley Saturday 19th February—Oxhey Jets Saturday 12th March—New Salamis Saturday 2nd April—Ardley United Tuesday 19th April—Risborough Rangers Saturday 23rd April– Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Saturday 30th April—Crawley Green

The Cook Partnership Heygates Ralph Griffiths Tony Stedman & Dave Snelman Dick Lovelace Brian Lovell / The Samaritans The Cook Partnership Pendley Day Nursery Richard & Tim Solk Mick Eldridge & Ray Brimson Neil & David Foskett Pendley Day Nursery Dave Snelman & Ollie Elderfield Pendley Day Nursery The Cook Partnership Available Available Available Available Available Available Available

Fixture List Tue 3 Aug Sat 7 Aug Sat 21 Aug Tue 31 Aug Sat 4 Sep Sat 11 Sep Tue 14 Sep Sat 18 Sep Tue 21 Sep Sat 25 Sep Sat 2 Oct Sat 9 Oct Tue 12 Oct Sat 16 Oct Tue 19 Oct Sat 23 Oct Sat 30 Oct Sat 6 Nov Sat 13 Nov Tue 16 Nov Sat 20 Nov Tue 23 Nov Sat 27 Nov Tue 30 Nov Sat 4 Dec Sat 11 Dec Sat 18 Dec Tue 28 Dec Mon 3 Jan Sat 15 Jan Tue 18 Jan Tue 26 Jan Sat 29 Jan Sat 5 Feb Tues 8 Feb Sat 12 Feb Sat 19 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 W 3-0 L 2-0 L 1-2 D1-1 W2-2 L4-0 L0-4 L0-1 W1-4 D3-3 W1-0 D2-2 L1-2 L1-2 W1-1 L3-2 W2-1 L3-0 L2-1 W0-4 L0-4 w3-0 L0-1 L3-0 L0-1 W0-2 L-2-3 L1-0 3pm 7.45pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm

Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Away Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division 2-4 pens FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division 3-4 pens FA Vase 1st Round Proper Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away FA Vase 2st Round Proper Home Herts Senior Challenge Cup Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home FA Vase 3rd Round Proper Away Challenge Trophy Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Oxhey Jets Keynsham Town Bishops Cleeve Holmer Green Harpenden Town Long Buckby Harefield United Leighton Town Dunstable Town FC Deportivo Galicia Crawley Green London Colney Hadley Flackwell Heath Broadfields United Ardley United Milton Keynes Irish Baldock Town Ardley United Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Cockfosters Hitchin Town Milton Keynes Irish Arlesey Town Dunstable Town Saffron Walden Town Bovingdon Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Harefield United Broadfields United Baldock Town Holmer Green Hadley New Salamis Flackwell Heath Oxhey Jets Leighton Town New Salamis Harpenden Town London Colney Ardley United Arlesey Town Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Crawley Green

Today’s Squads

Tring Athletic FC

Jake Alley Ben Johnson Harry Seabrook James Ferguson Harrison Cornick Oliver Butler Scott Bonner George Carbery Frankie Hercules Tommy Twelves Adam Sawyer Cameron Brooks Emmanuel Gbejuade Leo Farruch Godlove Oppong Jack Stevens Luke Peerless Elijah Hearn Ronan Hutchins

Manager - Ryan Sturges

Asst Manager- Lee Groves Coach—Gareth Jackson Technical coach—Ian Richardson GK Coach - Gary Looker

Harefield United Luke Baldwin Jacob Ballheimer Louis Bircham George Grange Steven Green Harry McCorkell Anotida Mano Callum Neal Femi Ogunsola Richard Pacquette Donell Watt Courtney Austin Zak Jackson Benjamin Stallard

Manager: Asst Manager: Coach: Physio :

Next Up

Hadley Saturday 5th February Kick off 3pm

FREE £7.00 £7.00 FREE £4.00

Today’s Visitors Founded in 1868 Harefield United Football Club is the oldest in Middlesex.

The Club has had a number of names throughout it’s history, one of the earliest being Harefield Victoria where the local paper of 1891 has a match report of a 1-0 win over Rickmansworth Rovers, the goal being scored by G Harland. The team was D Collett (goal), C Milton and J Varcos (backs), A Oates and J P Richardson (half backs), C Brown Jnr and G Webster (centres), W Prickett, G Winship, C Armour and G Harland (forwards).

One of the next names was Breakspear Institute FC, who played in the local Uxbridge leagues.

The oldest copy of a document is the minutes of their AGM held in 1897. We also have early team photographs of Breakspear from 1903 showing some of the many honours won at the turn of the century. There is also a programme from 1922 when Breakspear and Harefield played against each other in front of 1922 people. The merger with Harefield FC was in 1934 when the team became Harefield United. However, they are one of those longstanding clubs who has had success on the football field but little at the senior level.

Harefield United originally played in local leagues, including the Uxbridge & District League, before the team progressed to the Great Western Combination in 1947. During the years spent in the U&DL Harefield United managed to win Division 3, the Uxbridge Junior Cup and Uxbridge Premier Cup. The Club spent nearly twenty years in the Great Western Combination league winning Division 2 in their first year along with the Chesham Cup. The Club winning Division 1 in 1951 followed this. The Reserves had their success during the 1960s in the Great Western Combination Reserve Divisions. Harefield's next bit of silverware came after a move to the Parthenon League in 1964, the Championship being won in the debut campaign. . After two season the 'Hares' moved on to the Middlesex League and it was in that competition that they had their most successful period to date. The league Championship was won on 4 occasions between 1966 and 1971 and the League Cup was also taken twice in that period.

1975 saw Harefield accepted into the Athenian League where they remained for nine seasons. It was period of slow consolidation for the 'Hares' who eventually claimed the Runners-up spot in 1983/84, so earning themselves the right to a place in the newly expanded Isthmian League.

United became founder members of the Division Two (North) in 1984/85 and played in that Division for two seasons before changing over to Division Two (South), the Club being caught up in the no-man's land where the boundaries of the regionalised divisions met.

Harefield struggled to make an impact in Division Two (North), finishing 18th out of the twenty clubs in both of the two campaigns spent in that Division. However, the change to the South section led to better performances and in 1986/7 they finished in 10th place out of 21 clubs, this was followed by a final placing of 13th the next season and then in season 1988/89 the 'Hares' were 5th. They dropped to a disappointing 12th the following campaign, but the final year of the regionalised leagues saw 7th place achieved. This meant that Harefield had made the cut off point for qualification to play in the first year of the newly formed Diadora (Isthmian) Division Two the following season.

Harefield United The new division was a struggle for the Middlesex Club and they just missed relegation in the first year, but the next season were demoted along with Southall to Division 3. Despite this set back, the achievements of the Club in recent years have been quite remarkable considering that Harefield is a comparatively isolated location with a small population and consequently small crowds. The record attendance at Preston Park is 430, for a FA Vase tie against Bashley, which the Hares won 1-0.

1995/96 proved to be the last in the Icis (isthmian) League. Due to lack of funds to carry out ground improvements, the 'Hares' resigned from the League in November and were allocated to the Spartan League for season 1996/97.

The Hares spent one season in the Spartan League before it merged with the South Midlands League. There were two Premier Divisions in the first season, and the clubs, which finished in the top half of each Division, formed the Premier Division for the following season. Unfortunately the Hares only managed 11th position so they had to play in the Senior Division (now changed to Division 1). However, in 2002 the Hares gained promotion to the Premier, finally missing out on the League Championship by just one point. The consolation was beating the league champions, Greenacres, 4-1 in the final of the League Cup. There then followed more success during 2002/03 season, winning the Challenge Trophy, beating Dunstable Town (the league winners) 41 over two legs. The Hares also reached the final of the Premier League Cup and finished 4th.

The Club also had good runs in both the FA Cup and FA Vase, beating Ryman sides on the way.

This success continued during 2003/04 with a SSM Premier League Cup win, 1-0 against Brook House, and getting beaten 2-1 (aet) by Wealdstone in the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup. Season 2004/5 saw the teams consolidate their positions in near the top of their leagues and we had the inaugural season for a U18 side in the Allied Counties East division.

Season 2005/06 had it highs and lows. Despite the first team finishing 4th, its highest place since Stuart Leavy took over the senior side the team missed out getting promoted under the new league structure on goal difference. However, the ground improvements needed to get an E grading were completed before the deadline, this puts us in good stead for the future. The good news is that the U18 side not only won the East Division to get promoted to the Premier but they won the Middlesex Youth Cup. To cap off a good season for the Club the Reserves came runners up in the North Division of the Suburban and are now in the Premier.

The club has since remained in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division finishing runners-up twice, in the 2006–07 season and the 2008–09 season where they lost out on goal difference against Biggleswade Town.

Manager Ian Crane left to join A.F.C. Hayes in the summer of 2012, and he was replaced by Uxbridge reserve boss Phil Granville. However, Granville left in the summer of 2015 to become Hanwell Town's manager and he was replaced by Jason Shaw in May 2015.

In the 2018-2019 season, Jason Shaw lead Harefield United to promotion with 5 games to spare in his fourth season with the club. The club would join Arsenal and Preston North End going the whole league season unbeaten in the 2018-2019 Spartan South Midlands Football League Division 1

Today’s Officials Referee

Darren Knox

Assistant Referee Assistant Referee

Steven Healey Chad Greatorex

The TAFC 1

Club

Support Tring Athletic, Join our 100 Club. This is one of the most popular fund raising activities in the UK, probably the easiest to enter, and the size of the weekly/monthly prize will depend upon the number of people participating. The more people the larger the prize. 50% of all takings go in cash prizes.

At the current time we have a weekly CASH prize of £20 and a Monthly 1st prize of £100 and 2nd prize of £50. It costs just £1 per week. Ask a committee member for details.

November winners The monthly 100 draw was undertaken at half time during the Saffron Walden game. The lucky winners were: £100 Luke Naylor £50 Trudi Fryer £20 Dave Martin £20 Sharon Herbert £20 Clive Goodall Once again winnings will be paid directly to the winners bank accounts.

THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF “NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE Large crowds 1571—Local Derbies Bank Holiday.

Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available for collection by any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night. While provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all users of this facility are reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for known risks to the flocks. The angel of the Lord is additionally reminded that, prior to shining his/her glory all around, s/he must confirm that all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory.

Following last year’s well-publicised case, everyone is advised that Equal Opportunities legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of Mr R Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from reindeer games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence.

While it is acknowledged that gift bearing is a common practice in various parts of the world, particularly the Orient, everyone is reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded, while caution is advised regarding other common gifts such as aromatic resins that may evoke allergic reactions.

Finally, in the recent instance of the infant found tucked up in a manger without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly.

MIDWEEK HEADLINES Risborough Rangers clocked up their 50th consecutive unbeaten league game (dating back from 2019) although these are not inclusively SSML games. Stotfold hit opponents Thame United Reserves for ten (their best result in the SSML) to take their impressive form to 27 goals from last five league games. Arlesey Town continue to impress new manager Martin Standen this time hitting five on the road at London Colney.

Midweek brought about 56 goals from the 10 games (an average of 5.60 per game). Ashley Kersey (Stotfold) and Henry Snee (Shefford Town & Campton) led the way with four goal hauls while Charlie Moss (Arlesey Town), Aaron Cormack (Rushden & Higham United) and Jonathan McNamara (Shefford Town & Campton) netting hat tricks.

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

Midweek Stats: 10 games played of which 3 were home wins, 5 away wins and 2 draws.

Without A League Draw to date: Aston Clinton, Codicote, Eynesbury United, Old Bradwell United, Risborough Rangers Development and The 61FC (Luton).

Without A League Defeat to date: Risborough Rangers.

Midweek Highest Attendances: 371 Ampthill Town v Bedford, 253 Holmer Green v Risborough Rangers and 225 Arlesey Town v Baldock Town.

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Premier Division Clubs): 473 Leighton Town v Broadfields United, 449 Leighton Town v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and 435 Dunstable Town v Leighton Town.

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division One Clubs): 392 Stotfold v Bedford, 371 Ampthill Town v Bedford and 317 Stotfold v Letchworth Garden City Eagles.

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division Two Clubs): 212 Bovingdon v Totternhoe, 175 Bovingdon v Berkhamsted Raiders and 134 Totternhoe v Leighton Town (Gladwish Challenge Trophy).

Monday 27th December / Tuesday 28th December / Thursday 30th December PREMIER DIVISION The title race got a little more interesting on Saturday, leaders Risborough Rangers extended their unbeaten league run to 50 games with a 4-1 home success against Oxhey Jets (you have to go back to the 9th April 2019 for their last league defeat, 0-1 at Winslow United) while New Salamis moved to within a point of second placed Leighton Town with a 3-0 win at Ardley United. Bottom club Crawley Green were well beaten at Hadley, Tring Athletic the hosts winning 5-0 while Arlesey Town got off to a flyer with a goal after just 19 seconds at London Colney before going on to totally control the game finally winning 5-1. The day’s other action saw 201 packed into Creasey Park where Dunstable Town and Flackwell Heath battled out a 1-1 draw

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 Saturday’s Division One league programme saw all eight fixtures result in home wins. Stotfold remain top as their recent high scoring form continued with a 10-2 hammering over visiting Thame United Reserves while in the day’s big game (3rd v 4th) Ampthill Town edged out visiting Wellingborough Whitworth by a solitary goal. Goals were certainly on the menu as the eight fixtures produced 49 of them, Shefford Town & Campton were in ‘seventh heaven’ as they cast aside visiting bottom club Irchester United 7-3 (Snee and McNamara sharing the hosts goals between themselves) while the new owner of Bedford (Peter McCormack) could only look on as his recently acquired club were beaten 1-6 at Northampton Sileby Rangers. Elsewhere London Tigers eased any relegation fears with a 5-0 win at home against Kidlington Reserves while Penn & Tylers Green saw off visiting Raunds Town 5-1. The day’s other action saw Rushden & Higham United squeeze past Long Crendon, the hosts winning 3-2 while Langford edged out Burton Park Wanderers by the odd goal in three.

DIVISION TWO Eynesbury United moved up to second place level on points with leaders Old Bradwell United (who were inactive) as they overcame visiting Sarratt 3-0. At the bottom of the table The 61FC (Luton) picked up three points with a 2-1 home success against Risborough Rangers Development while bottom club Tring Corinthians AFC recorded their fifth successive league defeat when going down at home to Totternhoe by the odd goal in Bovingdon three. The day’s other action saw Berkhamsted Raiders defeat visiting Buckingham United 3-2.

On This Day—15th January 2011 On a bleak winters afternoon we found a ray of sunshine at the Gosling Sports Park when we returned to winning ways after a poor start to the New Year. Three goals, a clean sheet and most importantly of all three points was just the tonic we needed as we chase down league leaders Chalfont St Peter. Our rivals have a 10 point lead after scraping a 1-0 win at mid table Hadley but we will not give up and will hope to capitalise on any wobbles Chalfont may have.

The match took place at a big sports complex just outside Welwyn Garden City with the pitch in the centre of the bowl, surrounded by athletic and cycle tracks and overlooked by a cavernous stand. For spectators watching the game it was certainly different to the norm and will be similar to what followers of West Ham may experience if their club takes over the Olympic Stadium.

Phil Casserley had to make some changes with Vinnie Iannone, Rob Duncan, Danny Gray and Brett Court all being unavailable so he brought in Paul Jeffrey at left back where the youngster did well on his First Team debut. One piece of good news for Phil was the appearance of Chris Salmon for the Reserves after a long absence through injury and he will hope that Chris will soon be back in the First Team squad.

With the strong wind in our faces we started well and Ryan Redford only just failed to get on the end of Tony Fields cross. For the home side Bruce Tahon found space to head a cross just wide. In the 7th minute Hatfield should have drawn first blood when they were awarded a penalty after Tony Fields caught Terry Caswell a split second after the Hatfield forward had shot over the bar. But we have a quality keeper in Tom Vincent and for the second week running he came to our rescue making a magnificent save from Rhys Lawrence and then again from the follow up shot. In the process he took a nasty kick in the back and Lewis Rolfe was rightly booked for a late challenge.

After this let off we proceeded to have most of the possession but the home side defended well with their huge centre back Dave Ogbogu winning everything in the air ably supported by fellow defender Jason Beck. Ashley Addison nearly broke the deadlock, taking a throw from David Whicker then spinning away past the defenders before shooting just wide of the far post. It was a great bit of skill and deserved some reward. Later Ryan Redford looked certain to score when he appeared to beat Sam Lacey to a through pass, but the Hatfield keeper did superbly well to dive back and grab the ball before Ryan could strike it home.

The home attacks were not making too much impression on our defence but on the half hour mark they broke through down the right and the ball was pulled back to Rhys Lawrence but he shot straight at Tom Vincent.

Hatfield Town 0-3 TAFC With 7 minutes to go to half time Ashley Addison’s header forward caught out the Hatfield defence and Ryan Redford showed his predatory instincts by latching onto the ball and firing home the opening goal and his 18th of the season. We now had our tails up and soon afterwards Ryan laid the ball off to Nick Jackson whose shot was deflected just wide. The subsequent corner was struck hard and flat by Ashley Addison and just needed a touch but it skimmed off David Whicker’s head.

In the 42nd minute we caught out Hatfield with a quick break through Ashley Addison and Ryan Redford and when the ball was squared to David Whicker he was foiled by a superb save from Sam Lacey, but fortunately for us the ball bounced up to Tony Fields who headed in goal number two.

Hatfield had a great chance to pull a goal back in the 3rd minute of added time when their skipper Gary Coley dribbled into the area, but he failed to pull the trigger and when he eventually laid the ball off to Rhys Lawrence the chance had gone and Tom Vincent easily caught the resulting shot.

At the break we had a commanding 2-0 lead and would have been pleased to have kept a clean sheet after facing a strong wind.

Soon after the restart Ryan Redford hit a firm shot which the keeper spilled but his defence were quick to clear the danger. On the hour mark we made the score 3-0 with a superb goal from Graham Hall. When Ashley Addison’s corner reached Graham he produced a terrific scissor kick, nestling the ball into the bottom corner of the net. It was a high quality goal from the skipper. The score could have been 4-0 two minutes later when David Whicker’s pass sent Ashley Addison through a square defence but Ash shot just wide of the post.

The home side did not give up and made a couple of substitutions which seemed to pep up their attacks. They produced a series of dangerous crosses which caused problems but we managed to defend them. When any openings did appear Steve Smith was quickly on the scene to close them up, putting his speed and ability to read the game to good use. Hatfield saw a lot of the ball but they failed to test or stretch Tom Vincent. Their best opportunity came when Max Farrelly and Bruce Tahon combined superbly down the right and the former went mighty close with his shot just drifting wide of the far post. We were relying on quick breaks and right at the death Ryan Redford shot straight at the keeper. But there were no further goals and we claimed a valuable victory, our 6th in 6 games against Hatfield.

TA: Tom Vincent, Andy Mullins, Paul Jeffrey, Dave Whicker (Billy Osborne 76), Steve Smith, Henry Thomas, Nick Jackson (Andy Humphreys 76), Graham Hall (Capt), Ashley Addison, Ryan Redford, Tony Fields (Shane Wood 87). Sub not used: Keith Eldridge.

TA:

Redford (38), Fields (42), Hall (60)

TAFC Reserves TAFC 7-2 Knebworth Click on the image below to see second half match highlights

Our reserves are sponsored by NP Electrics

Sponsored by NP Electrics Herts Senior County League - Division One POS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Results

Next up

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Hertford Heath First Oracle Components First Hinton First Buntingford Town First Bovingdon Reserves Aldenham FC First Evergreen First Hertford United FC First Harpenden Town Reserves Hatfield United First Tring Athletic Reserves Knebworth First Old Parmiterians First Standon & Puckeridge FC None Oxhey First Wheathampstead Wanderers First

W

18 16 17 16 17 16 16 15 15 17 19 15 14 14 15 0

15 13 12 11 7 7 7 6 6 5 4 3 3 3 2 0

Sat 11 December

Hertford Heath 6-0 TAFC

Sat 18 December

TAFC 7-2 Knebworth

Sat 8 January

Old Parmitarians 5-4 TAFC

Sat 15 January

Knebworth (A) 2pm

Sat 22 January

Hinton (A) 2pm

Sat 29 January

Hatfield United (H) 2pm

D

L

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

1 3 3 3 6 7 8 6 6 10 12 10 9 10 10 0

GD

46 29 29 28 1 -12 -2 1 -3 -2 -14 -26 -39 -9 -27 0

PTS

47 39 38 35 25 23 22 21 21 17 15 11 11 10 9 0

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U18s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U18s Blue POS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Results

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Ware FC Academy U18 EJA St Albans City FC Academy U18 London Lions U18 EJA Leighton Town Youth U18 BSC FC Youth U18 EJA London Colney Youth U18 EJA Baldock Town U18 EJA Tring Athletic U18 EJA

W

8 8 7 7 8 4 9 5

D

6 5 4 4 3 3 1 0

L

0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1

GD

2 3 2 3 4 1 7 4

13 12 7 -1 0 8 -27 -12

PTS

18 15 13 12 10 9 4 1

Sun 7th November

TAFC 1-4 London Colney

League

Sun 14th November

Billericay Town 4-0 TAFC

Cup

Sun 5th December

TAFC 5-1 Borehamwood

Cup

Sun 23rd January

Leverstock Green (H) KO 11am

Cup

Sun 30 January

Leighton Town (H) KO 11am

League

Sun

Hornchurch (H) 3pm

Cup

6th February

U16s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U16 Green POS

P

W

D

L

GD

PTS

1 Ryan (Youth) U16 Red EJA

9

7

1

1

27

22

2 Enfield Borough (Youth) U16 Leopards 3 Cockfosters (Youth) U16

7

5

2

0

27

17

9

4

2

3

12

14

4 Hemel Hempstead Town Youth U16 Blacks 5 Edgware Town U16 6 London Colney Youth U16 EJA

6

4

0

2

10

12

8 9

3 3

1 1

4 5

0 10

10 10

7 Berkhamsted FC Youth U16 EJA

7

2

2

3

-4

8

8 Tring Athletic U16 EJA

6

2

1

3

0

7

9 Hadley Youth U16 EJA

9

0

0

9

-82

0

Results

Next up

Sun 21st November

TAFC 0-1 Cockfosters

League

Sun 28th November

Ryan Youth 2-2 (1-3 pens)

Cup

Sun 19th December

Waltham Cross Youth 1-2 TAFC

Cup

Sun 16th January

Enfield Borough Leopards (H) 11am League

Sun 23rd January

Hadley Youth (H) KO 3pm

League

Sun 30th January

Berkhamsted (A) TBC

League

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