SSML Premier Division - Saturday 13th August 2011

Match Report by Tristan Carlyle

Hertford Town lost the first match of their new Spartan South Midlands Premier League campaign, falling at home to last seasons’ runners-up Tring Athletic.

The Blues played a 4-4-2 formation and operated very directly; the defence hitting long passes for the front pair of Tom Wade and Mark Draper to chase and hold up. Tring deployed a more defensive formation, relying on swift counter-attacking to fashion their opportunities.

Despite dominating possession in the opening exchanges, Hertford fell behind to a very simple goal. Tring right back Steve Smith caused problems for the Blues defence throughout the first half by running the overlap with the winger in front of him and, in doing so, creating space behind defender Pablo Ardiles. This allowed him ample time to drill crosses low into the Hertford box, one of which led to the first goal as Tring forward Andy Humphreys beat ‘keeper Lee Robinson to the ball at the near post to tap in.

Hertford responded quickly, and soon their best chance of the half fell to Dave Hunt. Latching on to an excellent through-ball, Hunt raced past the defence and attempted to slot the ball into the far corner, only for the impressive Tring goalkeeper Mike Underwood to tip it round the post.

Tring took control of the fixture with a second goal almost identical to the first, Smith again working the overlap and delivering a cross, Humphreys again on hand to dispatch the ball into the net. His thumping shot from the edge of the area was directed straight at Robinson, but he was unable to prevent it from squirming agonisingly over the line.

Just prior to half-time both sides’ number elevens received yellow cards, much to the players’ surprise. For Tring it was a result of a needlessly rough challenge on Ardiles, whilst Hertford’s Chet Johnson was booked for dissent. Johnson seemed exasperated at the referee’s decision, but wisely avoided any further confrontation with the officials.

Half Time: Hertford Town 0 - 2 Tring Athletic

Half-time saw the introduction of Lee Roberts, whose pace and dribbling changed the nature of the game.  By chasing every long ball and allowing the Tring defence little time on the ball, Roberts successfully pinned back the marauding Smith and minimised the visitor’s attacking options.

The team’s efforts were rewarded 15 minutes into the second half; Johnson was tripped by a defender’s outstretched leg as he jinked into the opposition’s area. Roberts' subsequent penalty was saved, but Michael Cooper was on hand to power home the rebound.

This galvanised The Blues, who increased the pressure in search of an equaliser. Tring were allowed little time on the ball, and they found their goal bombarded with crosses. A golden opportunity arose on the 70th minute as the ball was delivered into the area by Roberts, where both Draper and Hunt were ideally positioned. With the keeper beaten and the goal gaping both players leapt for the ball, only for Draper to deflect it harmlessly over the bar.

Tring sealed their victory with a final flourish, winger Tony Fields allowed far too much space in the corner of the pitch as he skipped past two Hertford defenders, before laying the ball off for Humphreys to wrap up his hat-trick.

Manager Scott O’Donoghue stated after the match that changes to the squad will be made as the season develops, but he can take positives from his side’s second half display. Namely: the difficulty Lee Roberts poses opposition defenders as a forward and the all-round assured performance from centre-back Jack Lawrence.

Full Time: Hertford Town 1 - 3 Tring Athletic

Hertford Line-Up
1. Robinson. 2. Cooper. 3. Ardiles. 4. Gordon. 5. Nathan (c). 6. Lawrence. 7. Hunt. 8. Kelly. 9. Draper. 10. Wade. 11. Johnson.

Subs Used: Roberts (for Wade 45), Casey (for Gordon 81), Beale (for Kelly 81)