Tring Athletic vs Leverstock Green

Official Programme

Tring Athletic v Leverstock Green Tuesday 15th March 2022 7.45pm Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Cup Match Sponsor— R.O. Allum & Sons

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 evening & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium for the visit of Leverstock Green in this season’s Premier Division Cup. We welcome their players, officials and supporters and wish them a safe journey home afterwards.

Our match sponsors this evening R.O. Allum & Sons, a local building firm and long term supporter of the club. We would like to thank them for their backing over the years including being former first team shirt sponsors.

Find out more about them on page 24. We still have match sponsorship availability on future games (see page 13) including our next home game against Ardley United, 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 2-3 Leverstock Green in April 2008. 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 6 - A selection of items on show from our club shop

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Page 18 — Today’s match squads

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Page 20-22—Introducing our opponents

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Pages 29-32 —On this Day, we look at a 4-1 win over Met Police Bushey from 2011.

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

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 our 2-0 win against Leighton Town 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

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

30 28 28 31 28 31 29 32 29 29 29 31 29 29 29 30 31 28 29 30

23 22 19 17 16 16 14 13 12 11 11 10 9 11 9 9 7 6 5 4

3 5 4 8 3 3 7 7 7 7 5 6 8 1 6 5 3 5 4 5

Table as at Monday 14th March

4 1 5 6 9 12 8 12 10 11 13 15 12 17 14 16 21 17 20 21

61 63 31 34 27 12 10 -6 17 -6 -25 -14 7 -15 -6 -15 -51 -18 -67 -39

72 71 61 59 51 51 49 46 43 40 38 36 35 34 33 32 24 23 19 17

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 23rd April– Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Saturday 8th March—Oxhey Jets Saturday 12th March—New Salamis Tuesday 15th March —Leverstock Green Saturday 2nd April—Ardley United Tuesday 19th April—Risborough Rangers Saturday 23th 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 Pendley Day Nursery The Cook Partnership Pendley Day Nursery NP Electrics R.O. Allum & Sons 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 Tue 22 Feb Sat 5 Mar Tue 8 Mar Sat 12 Mar Tues 15 Mar Sat 19 Mar Sat 26 Mar Sat 2 Apr Sat 9 Apr Sat 16 Apr Tue 19 Apr Sat 23 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 L0-1 W2-3 L5-0 W1-3 W2-1 D2-2 W4-1 W0-2 W2-0 L0-2 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 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 Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Premier Division Cup 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

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 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Leighton Town Oxhey Jets New Salamis Leverstock Green Harpenden Town London Colney Ardley United Arlesey Town Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Crawley Green

Today’s Squads

Tring Athletic FC

Jake Alley Harry Seabrook Harrison Cornick Oliver Butler George Carbery Frankie Hercules Tommy Twelves Adam Sawyer Emmanuel Gbejuade Adiel Mannion Leo Farruch Godlove Oppong Jack Stevens Luke Peerless Elijah Hearn Ronan Hutchins Charlie Miller Will Bisney

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

Leverstock Green FC 1. Alfie Bonfield 2. Adrian Pitfield 3. Rio Beach 4. Dan Weeks (c) 5. Paul Marks 6. Kian Wilkes 7. Elgeniy Daalberg 8. Dan Pett 9. Rawn Seale 10. Paplamin Jawara 11. Lewis Collins 12. Jack Allen 14. Ryan Carruthers 16. Adam Page 17. Brad Robinson 18. Sean Walsh

Manager: Fergus Moore Asst Manager: Scott McGleish Coaches: Paul Marks, AJ Findlay & Darren Bonfield

Next Up

Ardley United Saturday 2nd April Kick off 3pm

FREE £7.00

£7.00 FREE £4.00

Today’s Visitors CLUB HISTORY Leverstock Green Football Club was formed around 1895. The first match reports appeared on January 4th 1896 in the Advertiser and gave an account of a match against Hemel Hempstead Rovers.

The first competitive fixtures were reported during season 1908/1909 when the Club competed in Division Three of the West Herts League. Other clubs competing in the league at that time were: Abbots Langley, Bovingdon, Boxmoor, Bushey Heath, Hagden Lane, Kings Langley and Potten End. The Club ground in Pancake Lane originally formed part of the Gorhambury Estate, Lord Verulam making the ground available for the youth of the area and his estate workers to enjoy a game of ball. Clearly Lord Verulam was an early enthusiast, providing timber-built changing rooms, which have been progressively replaced since the 1960’s by the existing brick built clubhouse and changing rooms.

On the death of the Lord, certain parcels of land, including that on which the Football Club stood, fell to the Crown in lieu of death duties and is administered on its behalf by the Commission for New Towns, who have remained the Club’s landlords since that time, despite two unsuccessful attempts by the Club to buy the freehold.

The club remained members of the West Herts League until 1954 when it broadened its horizons and successfully applied to join the Herts County League.

By the mid 1970’s the Club started to move forward with a new clubhouse, post & rail and the installation of training lights.

The playing side of the club also improved and in 1979 the club won Division One of the Herts County League and were promoted to the Premier Division the highest standard the Club had achieved in 80 years.

In 1991 the Club were accepted into the South Midlands League and had two highly successful seasons in the Premier Division before being forced to drop into the Senior Division, as floodlights were then not available. In 1996 the club finished in runners-up position and the following season were the divisional champions but could not be promoted because floodlights had still not received approval from the Council.

Leverstock Green Premier Division status was eventually regained in 2003, and the club is now the longest-standing current member of the division. The club’s highest finish in the Premier Division has been 4th, in season 2010/11, with top six finishes also being recorded in 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2008/09.

Season 2010/11 also saw the club’s best ever run in the FA Vase, with wins over Welwyn Garden City, Enfield, Hullbridge Sports, Tunbridge Wells and Bemerton Heath Harlequins before defeat in the Fifth Round against Rye United. The club has twice reached the Third Round of the FA Vase, in seasons 2006/07 and 2018/19.

Leverstock Green entered the FA Cup for the first time in 2004, and the club’s best performance has been reaching the Second Round Qualifying, which was achieved in 2014/15, where we were beaten by Staines Town, and in 2018/19 where we were beaten by Dorking Wanderers.

County honours were won in 2006/07 and 2010/11 as the Herts Charity Shield was lifted, and the club were beaten finalists in the Herts Charity Cup in 2011/12.

After finishing runners-up four times over the previous 12 years, The West Herts FA St Mary’s Cup was finally lifted for the first time in 2017/18 with victory over Berkhamsted in the final at Vauxhall Road.

Between 2005 and 2015 the club ran a successful Ladies’ Team, which rose from the Beds and Herts League into the Eastern Region Womens League, reaching the Premier Division in 2013.

The under-18 side competes in the Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League. The team finished runners-up in their division in seasons 2010/11 and 2014/15, and in 2015/16 they reached the final of both the Brian Hitchings Cup and the Colwyn Cup, losing in both finals to Luton Town Cedars. Many players have made the step up from under-18 level to first team level, and those who have gone on to play much higher up the non-league pyramid include Charlie Gorman (Eastbourne Borough), Luke Warner-Eley (Royston Town, St Albans City) and Jonathan Lacey (Hemel Hempstead Town) who also represented the England non-league side in the Falklands while a Leverstock Green player.

Leverstock Green The Pancake Lane ground has seen many improvements due to ever more stringent ground grading requirements. In 2007 the Peter Metcalfe changing rooms were built at a cost of £90,000. 2008 saw the refurbishment of the clubhouse to include new toilets and a new hospitality suite. In 2009 the concrete walkway was completed to cover three sides of the ground and a seated stand accommodating 113 spectators was installed.

Season 2018/19 was one of turmoil and sadness, as long-serving fixture secretary Graham Smart passed away suddenly only weeks after taking on the role of interim chairman. A season which promised so much at the start ended with the club only securing Premier Division safety on the final day.

Emma Smart took over as chairman for season 2019/20, and with a new management team and a new spirit of optimism the club was on course for a safe midtable finish before the season was brought to a premature end by Covid-19. The management team of Matt Harding and Mick Vipond continued into the 2020/21 season, which again came to a premature end. For season 2021/22, a new management team of Fergus Moore, Scott McGleish and Paul Marks has been appointed. The club has increased its commitment to youth development by joining the Eastern Junior Alliance and will be running an under-15 side this season.

Three club stalwarts have received awards from the Football Association and the Herts FA for 50 years service to football. The first was Jim Matthews, affectionately known as “Macca”, who passed away at the age of 90 in 2006. The second was Bill Dawes in 2014, and the third was long-serving club secretary Brian Barter in 2019. Brian stood down from his role as secretary in 2020, having twice been honoured with awards from the Spartan South Midlands League.

Today’s Officials Referee

Chris Flack

Assistant Referee Assistant Referee

Gary Ogden Chaolun Tan

Today’s match sponsor

CLICK ON EITHER IMAGE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TODAY’S SPONSOR AND LONG TERM SUPPORTER OF THE CLUB

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.

January winners The monthly 100 draw was undertaken at half time during the Saffron Walden game. The lucky winners were: £100 Alan Dumpleton £50 Peggy Herbert £20 John Eadie £20 Sean Rutherford £20 David Lawless 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 SATURDAY HEADLINES Saturday brought about 74 goals from the 19 games (an average of 3.89 per game).

Derek Asamoah (New Salamis) hat trick.

Saturday Stats: 19 games played of which 11 were home wins, 7 away wins and 1 draw.

(Most League Wins – all Divisions): 22 New Salamis, Risborough Rangers, Stotfold, 20 Winslow United, 18 Hadley, Ampthill Town.

(Most League Draws – all Divisions): 8 Leighton Town, Penn & Tylers Green, 7 Arlesey Town, Dunstable Town, Harefield United, Harpenden Town, 6 Ardley United, Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, Milton Keynes Irish, Ampthill Town, Bedford, Thame United Reserves.

(Most League Defeats – all Divisions): 25 Irchester United, 21 Crawley Green, Burton Park Wanderers 20 London Colney, London Tigers.

Without a Draw: (Division Two League): Aston Clinton and Codicote.

Most Goals Scored: (Premier Division League): 90 New Salamis. (Division One League): 91 Stotfold. (Division Two League): 79 Old Bradwell United, Pitstone & Ivinghoe.

Most Goals Conceded: (Premier Division League): 93 Holmer Green. (Division One League): 96 Burton Park Wanderers. (Division Two League): 64 Buckingham United.

Fewest Goals Conceded: (Premier Division League): 16 Risborough Rangers. (Division One League): 23 Stotfold. (Division Two League): 16 Old Bradwell United.

Fewest Goals Scored: (Premier Division League): 30 London Colney. (Division One League): 29 Irchester United. (Division Two League): 23 The 61FC (Luton).

Saturday’s Highest Attendances: 491 Leighton Town v Tring Athletic, 234 Stotfold v Irchester United and 214 Dunstable Town v London Colney.

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Premier Division Clubs): 868 Leighton Town v Luton Town (Beds Senior Cup), 491 Leighton Town v Tring Athletic and 473 Leighton Town v Broadfields United.

Season’s Highest Attendances to date (Division One Clubs): 1904 Long Crendon v Wycombe Wanderers (Berks & Bucks Senior Cup), 533 Stotfold v Winslow United and 404 Stotfold v Ampthill Town.

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).

Saturday 5th March PREMIER DIVISION Risborough Rangers retained their one point lead at the top of the standings with a 4 -1 win at Broadfields United while closest challengers New Salamis hammered second from bottom Holmer Green 8-0 in North London. Hadley moved up to third place following their hard fought solitary goal success at Harefield United while it was a solitary goal win that took Leverstock Green up to fifth against visiting Milton Keynes Irish. Elsewhere bottom club Crawley Green were beaten 1-3 at home by Flackwell Heath and Dunstable Town enjoyed a 3-0 home win against struggling London Colney. The day’s other Premier Division fixtures saw 2-0 away wins and reports on both Arlesey Town v Ardley United and Leighton Town v Tring Athletic can be found later in the ramblings.

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 Table toppers Stotfold took another step closer to the title with Saturday’s 31 home success against bottom club Irchester United, the win takes the Bedfordshire club six points clear at the summit although the performance on the day brought about criticism from their manager who felt they were way below their best. Second placed Winslow United lost ground after their 1-1 home draw with another of the play-off hopefuls Long Crendon, the visitors dropping to seventh in the standings as a result. Wellingborough Whitworth and Bedford both recorded home wins to maintain their play-off hopes, WW defeating Langford 5-1 while it was an odd goal in three win for Bedford against lowly London Tigers. Elsewhere Amersham Town won the big battle at the other end of the table beating visiting Burton Park Wanderers 4-2 while Penn & Tylers Green enjoyed a 3-1 win on their travels at Buckingham Athletic.

DIVISION TWO Aston Clinton made it nine wins from their last nine games with a home success over Sarratt, however they were made to work hard for the three points winning by the odd goal in seven. The day’s other Division Two fixture saw Totternhoe win for the first time in five games as their ended Codicote’s run of five winning league games with a 2-1 win in Bedfordshire.

DIVISION TWO CUP First Round Holders Old Bradwell United booked their quarter-final spot in this season’s Division Two Cup when they won 3-1 in the ‘Bradwell Derby’ against visiting New Bradwell St Peter, OBU will now travel to Eynesbury United as they attempt to repeat their 2018-19 cup final success (the last two competitions being postpone due to Covid). Elsewhere Pitstone & Ivinghoe withstood a second half fight back from Risborough Rangers Development in their first round tie, the tie switched to Pitstone due to an unplayable pitch at Risborough saw P&I 3-0 up at the break before two unanswered goals from RR caused a few anxious moments before the final whistle. The day’s other tie saw Milton Keynes College Football Academy progress to the quarter-finals with a 3-1 home win against Buckingham United, the Academy side will now travel to Pitstone & Ivinghoe in the quarter-finals.

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

AND FINALLY COMMITTEE AWAYDAYS I went to Arlesey yesterday for my first visit this season, and was looking forward to reading their excellent programme. I was disappointed inasmuch that it is now on-line only, due mainly to lack of personnel, and time etc. How many clubs these days have insufficient volunteers to assist in running clubs? Anyway I was at Arlesey to present Ardley with their trophy for January Team of the Month. I was really impressed by their manager Julian McCalmon who seemed really pleased to receive the award, and he was a credit to their club. He even bought me drink afterwards which I was really pleased with! Although after all the rain during the week, plus the fact that Baldock played on it on Wednesday, the pitch was heavy, but no worse at the end of the game than at the beginning. It was pretty even during the first half, although Ardley had more possession, but seemed to run out of ideas when they got to the penalty area. Arlesey though had the better chances, with the best of them coming in the 15th minute when a superb cross-field ball put a forward with a clear run on goal. Out of seemingly nowhere a defender was on the scene who cleared the danger. Although 0-0 at the break it didn’t have the look of a goalless game. Then I remembered Mike’s report last week when Ardley had enough chances to score but succumbed to a 93rd minute goal! Ardley created their best chance in the 53rd minute but the chance was blasted over the bar. However a goal did eventually arrive in the 69th minute when number 7 (Declan Benjamin) was put through on the right hand side, and shot low and hard into the far side giving keeper Ryan Hilliard no chance at all. Two minutes later it was 0-2. Again Benjamin was the scorer, but this time he ran through the middle, and wasn’t challenged by anyone, before firing home low from 16 yards. Unfortunately this seemed to knock the stuffing out of a patchwork Arlesey side, and the game was won. Although there were 5 bookings, and one sin bin, it wasn’t in my opinion a dirty game, although it was physical. Hopefully Arlesey will soon have their injured players back shortly and also have a larger attendance than the 69 who braved the extremely cold day.

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

The Roving Ref Bob Flight was at Leighton Town and sends the following report:Promotion chasing Leighton Town entertained a rejuvenated Tring Athletic at Bell Close in front of another large crowd of some 450+ spectators. In a dominant first half, Tring scored both their goals to dent the home team title aspirations. Tring began well and it was no surprise when Ronan Hutchins cut in from the left side of the penalty area to score past the home keeper Connor Coulson on 15 minutes. Town had their chances but one shot went just over the bar and another effort was blocked almost on the goal line. But the half belonged to Tring as an effort on goal was deflected narrowly wide and another shot was cleared off the home goal line.

The second Tring goal came as a bit of a surprise to most in the ground and perhaps also the scorer Godlove Oppong received the ball just outside of the Town penalty area and his looping shot cleared everyone, including Town keeper Coulson, and went into the far corner of the Town net on 38 minutes. Thus Tring went in at half time 2-0 ahead.

Town started the second half with determination and they began to dominate play as Tring sat back on their lead. An early chance from a free kick was headed over and they had a series of free and corner kicks. However, they could not find that final touch to trouble the Tring goal. Tring looked dangerous on the break but they failed to score again. With time running out, Town staged a final flourish but once again the Tring defence held firm. This was a good game to watch for the neutral but the result does little for Leighton but continues the recent revival at Tring.

The result of this week’s Team of the Day Poll with 298 votes cast is:Tring Athletic 48.7% Dunstable Town 31.9% Amersham Town 10.7% Aston Clinton 8.7%

On This Day—15 March 2011 In the absence of Graham Hall the captain’s arm band was donned by Tony Fields and he rose to the occasion by scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot to repeat his feat of 3 weeks ago at Goffs Lane. On that occasion it earned us 3 points this time it booked our place in the semi-finals of the Floodlit Cup where we will entertain Langford. With the possibility of winning the league somewhat remote our only chance of any silverware this season will be confined to this competition and the St Mary’s Cup where we will meet Hemel Hempstead in the semi-final, after they beat Berkhamsted Town 2-0 on the same night.

With a number of key players missing Phil Casserley had to re-jig the side, which included moving Jason Beck from midfield to defence where he had an outstanding game. His partner in the centre was initially Shane Wood but he lasted a mere 11 minutes before being replaced by Chris Salmon who himself has been out for over 5 weeks. Despite the changes the defence played well and can be congratulated on keeping a clean sheet, our first for 11 matches.

With a semi-final place up for grabs this was inevitably a keenly contested affair and although it was close throughout we deserved to go through and would have won by a greater margin had the visiting keeper not made 3 outstanding saves in the second half. We did have our moment of luck when Boro failed to convert a chance that came back off the post but apart from that we restricted them to few scoring opportunities.

The game was fairly even in the first period and there were calls from the opposition for a penalty when Chris Salmon slid in on a tackle and appeared to handle the ball but the referee rejected the appeals as he did later on when the ball struck a Boro defender’s raised arm in the area. Vinnie Iannone’s header set up Ryan Redford for a powerful shot which was well saved by the Boro Keeper Adam McWeeney. Vinnie picked up the loose ball but the angle was too acute and he fired wide. Vinnie and Ryan linked up again to better effect in the 31st minute but this time Ryan was stopped in his tracks by a trip from John Offei for a clear penalty. Tony Fields calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to put us 1-0 ahead.

TAFC 1-0 Broxbourne Borough The visitors were lively and pacy and the game was competitive. They put over a number of crosses but each time they were too close to Tom Vincent who gobbled them up with ease. Tom had to be alert when Tony Neilson, grandson of the famous former Spurs and Wales winger Cliff Jones, played a nice pass into the area for Junior Adedye, collecting the ball before any damage could be done. Rory Brien decided to test Tom Vincent from long range with a fiercely struck swerving shot but our custodian got down well to save. The last word nearly fell to us when Tony Fields met Danny Gray’s free kick at the near post but his effort went well wide.

Thus a fairly even half ended with us holding a slender 1-0 lead.

Half Time:

Tring Athletic

1

Broxbourne Borough

0

The early chances after the restart fell to Boro with Tony Neilson smashing a shot well over after being found with a terrific long pass by Dave Greene, then Tom Vincent had to dash from his line to pick the ball off the toes of Junior Adedye. But after that we took the initiative and but for some magnificent saves from Adam McWeeney we would have won by a greater margin. The 17 year old on loan from Watford tipped over 3 point blank headers from Ryan Redford, David Whicker and Ashley Addison when we looked certain to score. We created other chances as well with Vinnie Iannone shooting over after stretching to reach Nick Jackson’s cross, Jason Beck heading a Danny Gray corner over when unmarked and John Offei cleared Tony Fields long cross to the far post with Nick Jackson waiting to pounce.

TAFC 1-0 Broxbourne Borough Boro can legitimately claim that they had a great chance to equalise when Junior Adedye smacked a shot against the post and the ball rebounded to Bradley Drisdale who shot straight at Tom Vincent with the whole goal at his mercy. Later Junior Adedye latched onto a long free kick but he failed to get any decent contact with the ball. Boro kept attacking and forced a few free kicks but we defended well with Jason Beck producing some towering headers ably supported by Chris Salmon and full backs Steve Smith and Rob Duncan. We held on to rightfully claim a place in the semifinal.

A good result and performance against a much improved side. This is a competition we have never won, although we did lose in the final to Oxhey Jets on penalties some years ago, so it would be nice to add it to our portfolio of honours.

Interesting to note that on the same night Chalfont lost 1-0 at Haringey Borough, but they still hold a 10 point lead over us. So there is still a slight ray of hope but realistically it is probably a forlorn one as they only have to win 8 of their last 11 games to make absolutely certain. But we must not make it easy for them so we will need to still keep winning games if for no other reason but to secure 2nd place which is the least we deserve after a great season. Hopefully some of our walking wounded will be back on Saturday for the visit of Harefield United for a Premier Division fixture.

TA: Tom Vincent, Steve Smith, Rob Duncan, Jason Beck, Shane Wood (Chris Salmon 11), David Whicker, Nick Jackson, Tony Fields (Capt), Vinnie Iannone (Ashley Addison 67), Ryan Redford, Danny Gray (Billy Osborne 81). Subs not used: Mike Underwood, Andy Humphreys.

BB: Adam McWeeney, John Offei, Keiron Street, Dave Greene, Dan Broom, Billy Sentence (Capt), Bradley Drisdale, Rory Brien (Sid Cannell 67), Junior Adedye, Jordan Watson, Tony Neilson (Teagan James 75). Sub not used: Kevin Wakelin.

Goals:

Tony Fields Pen (31)

Crowd:

41

TAFC Reserves TAFC 3-1 Buntingford Town Click on the image below to see match highlights

Our reserves are sponsored by NP Electrics

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

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

24 24 24 23 22 23 22 23 22 22 19 22 25 21 22 0

W

20 19 16 15 10 10 10 10 7 7 6 6 5 5 2 0

Sat 5 February

Bovingdon 1-0 TAFC

Sat 12 February

TAFC 3-1 Buntingford Town

Sat 19 February

Aldenham 2-1 TAFC

Sat 12 March

Hinton (H) 3pm

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L

2 0 2 3 5 3 3 2 3 3 4 2 3 3 4 0

2 5 6 5 7 10 9 11 12 12 9 14 17 13 16 0

GD

67 49 26 27 4 12 -16 -1 1 -15 -15 -35 -19 -45 -40 0

PTS

62 57 50 48 35 33 33 32 24 24 22 20 18 18 10 0

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U18s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U18s Blue POS

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

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9 7 7 7 4 3 1 0

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0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1

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2 29 2 10 4 5 4 22 3 -1 7 -8 10 -39 6 -18

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27 22 21 21 12 10 4 1

Sun

6th February

St Albans City 4-1 TAFC

League

Sun

13th February

TAFC 0-1 (AET) Hornchurch

Cup

Sun

6th March

London Colney 7-3 TAFC

Cup

Sun

20th March

Ware Academy (A) 2pm

League

Sun

27th March

BSC Youth (A) KO TBC

League

Sun

3rd April

Baldock Town (H) KO TBC

League

U16s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U16 Green POS

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1 Ryan (Youth) U16 Red EJA

12

10

1

1

33

31

2 Enfield Borough (Youth) U16 Leopards 3 Hemel Hempstead Town Youth U16 Blacks 4 Cockfosters (Youth) U16

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8

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1

32

26

11

8

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2

36

25

14

6

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5 London Colney Youth U16 EJA 6 Berkhamsted FC Youth U16 EJA

11 10

5 4

1 2

5 4

13 -1

16 14

7 Edgware Town U16

12

3

2

7

-7

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8 Tring Athletic U16 EJA

11

3

1

7

-4

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9 Hadley Youth U16 EJA

14

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Results

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Sun 27 February

TAFC 1-1 London Colney (H) (5-3 pens)

Cup

Sun 6 March

Enfield Borough Leopards 3-0 TAFC

League

Sun 2oth March

Ryan Youth (H) KO TBC

League

Sun 27th March

Edware Town (A) KO TBC

League

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