There was plenty to sing about for the Stable End Choir as The Blues went through to the 1st Qualifying Round after an excellant match played in a good spirit.
Hertford were forced to make four changes, with Panayiotis Panayiotou, Mark Virgo and Ryan Wade all injured in Saturday's game, and Nicky Burt suspended. In came 17 year old Nick Barnaby in goal for his first game of the season, and reserve team regular Ben Wiper got the number 7 shirt. Ross Collins, having appeared several times as a substitute made his first full start in place of Burt, and Paul Taylor was back from holiday to resume in midfield. Hertford's resources were so stretched that two further Reserve Team players were on the bench - Rory Brien and Ryan Gordon.
Tring welcomed back teenage centre forward Vinnie Iannone in place of two goal man Ali Thornley, and had Tye North at right back, but were otherwise unchanged from the first game.
Tring looked like they had decided that the way to deal with Hertford's lethal attack was to do the attacking themselves, and had the lion's share of the opening play, pinning The Blues back into their own last third for much of the opening ten minutes. Ben Wiper made a good run on four minutes, but his shot was deflected for a corner. When Lee Roberts put over a perfect kick, the ball bounced around in the visitors' six yard box, with no-one able to either convert or clear. Then some crisp passing between Ross Collins and Kevin Cooper put in Pablo Ardiles but the left back could only get a weak contact with the ball.
On 8 minutes, Tring were awarded a free kick 35 yards out and they had the ball in the net only to have the goal rubbed out - home 'keeper Nick Barnaby was challenged illegally as he caught the ball high in the air, and the ball ended up in the back of the net.Two minutes later Tring's Steve Hutchins somehow contrived to blast the ball over the bar from inside the six yard box, when he looked certain to score. Almost immediately Greg Shaw fired over, as the visitors continued to have the upper hand. Hertford won a 14th minute corner when keeper Ringsell was unable to stop a long, wayward, backpass from going out. This led to nothing however, and it was soon Tring on the attack again, and right back Chris Salmon headed just wide from Tring's first corner.
Kevin Cooper won a free kick some distance out, and when Kevin Kilroy floated the ball in to the box, Ryan Redford saw his glancing header sail past the far post. Hertford, having ridden their luck so far, were now getting the upper hand. Ryan Redford did supremely well to regain possession of the ball twice in the Tring box, but when he passed to Kevin Cooper, his strike partner couldn't convert the chance. A minute later Cooper did get in good strike but 'keeper Ringsell parried the ball up in the air.At the other end Glenn Draper cleaned up well and was bringing the ball out when he was fouled. Then Nicky Marsh moved inside to hook the ball away from the dangerous Iannone with his central defenders out of position.
The opening goal came on 26 minutes. Good build up work involving Wiper, Cooper and Taylor saw the ball switched out wide on the right to ROSS COLLINS, who cut in and fired the ball past 'keeper Ringsell for his second goal in two games.
Tring tried their best to cancel out the goal, winning a corner on 30 minutes from which defender Paul Aldridge fired the ball across the home goal, but none of his team-mates were able to connect with the cross. Then Vinne Iannone found himself free in front of goal but his shot from 6 yards was beaten down by Nick Barnaby. The ball still looked like it might cross the line, before being hacked away by the home defence. Ryan Redford was booked on 33 minutes for a foul on Tring's Chris Salmon as play switched to the other end
Redford produced a good ball to Lee Roberts minutes later, but the winger's shot flew just over the bar. The Tring supporters appealed for a penalty on 38 minutes as the ball rebounded off the pitch on to Paul Taylor's arm but the referee was close to see it as ball to hand. Tring's Steve Hutchins wasted a free kick in a good position in front of goal when he punted the ball straight into Nick barnaby's waiting arms. Then another Tring free kick, out on the left touchline sailed harmlessly past the goal and out for a goalkick. Lee Roberts provided Ryan Redford with a good opportunity on 44 minutes, but his shot was well held by Craig Ringsell.

Half Time: Hertford Town 1 Tring Athletic 0

Hertford looked more in control as the game went on, and there was to be no repeat of Saturday's deluge of goals by Tring. From the second of two corners in the 51st minute, Kevin Kilroy saw his looping header go just over. Kevin Cooper made a good run which ended with a shot from 20 yards, but again, keeper Ringsell made a good save. Vinnie Iannone turned well in the 58th minute and his shot went close. Tring made a substitution on the hour, with Trevor Gibbs replacing Dale Fisher.
In what had become an enthralling match, there was another shout for a Tring penalty when this time it was Ross Collins whose arm was struck by the ball. Again the referee deemed it ball to hand. The Visitors were trying all they knew to get an equaliser, and good work down their right led to a chance which Ian Wilkinson, a scorer on Saturday, was unable to convert. Greg Shaw tried his luck from long range, but Nick Barnaby was up to the task and held the ball well. Hertford replied with a trademark run by Lee Roberts and a chance for Ryan Redford, which the busy Ringsell turned around the post for a corner.
Ben Wiper came off to good applause to be replaced by another Reserve Team player, Ryan Gordon, who took up the wide right position, with Ross Collins moving inside. Tring substituted Rob Duncan for Danny Gray at the same time. On 76 minutes, Tring were awarded a free kick on the halfway line when it looked like it was the other way. It nearly led to an equalising goal for the visitors, when Greg Shaw's shot went just over the bar. Tring were really being stretched now and it was no surprise when they paid for their adventurous play. Lee Roberts found himself in acres of space to run down the wing and cross to the equally unmarked KEVIN COOPER, who sewed up the game with a typical finish to delight the Stable Enders.
Tring put on Sam Wilkinson for Tye North, and Hertford brought on Louis Lancaster at left back, with Ardiles switching to centre midfield, Paul Taylor coming off. Then Hertford gave 5 minutes to Rory Brien with Kevin Cooper coming off to a resounding chorus of "There's only one Kevin Cooper". There was just time for Tring skipper Dave Foskett to be booked, and for Brien to get in a wicked cross which was nearly turned in by the Tring defence, then Ryan Redford broke clear down the wing and needed two or three more seconds to draw the 'keeper and slot home, when the ref blew for time!

Final Score: Hertford Town 2 Tring Athletic 0 We hope you will find our website helpful and informative . There is a separate "Fans Forum", for which the Club accepts no reponsibility .