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Sat 5th Dec 2009
League
Sponsored by John, Mick & Brian
TAFC First team 4-0 Hatfield Town
TAFC goals: Chris Salmon (2), Anthony Fields, Mark Burfoot |
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A second half blitz saw us seal an empathic 4-0 victory over a battling and competitive Hatfield Town side. The result was a fitting tribute to loyal and respected supporter George Smith who sadly passed away the previous Saturday and in his honour there was a one minute silence before the game.
The score line rather flattered us as the visitors were still in contention up to the final few minutes, but that won’t worry Manager Phil Casserley who will be delighted at the quality of the finishing and the goals from his players. Phil can also pat himself on the back for his tactical nous, with his second half substitutes Vinnie Iannone and Ashley Addison playing their parts in setting up the last two killer goals.
Hatfield played some neat football and had their share of possession, and although they created some opportunities they lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and keeper Keith Eldridge, playing his first game of the season for the First Team in the absence of the unfit Tom Vincent and unwell Mike Underwood, was only forced to make two serious saves in the game.
The pitch was wet and heavy, but playable, and that may have contributed to a disappointing first half in which the visitors were marginally the better side. We took a while to settle and a couple of early mistimed headers caused some problems in our defence. Hatfield left back Richard Cooke struck a nice diagonal cross into our area which his colleague Gary Coley just failed to get on the end of as our defenders stood and watched. The visitors were winning a number of free kicks and from one of these Grant Macareee got his head to it but it went straight to Keith Eldridge.
Mark Burfoot and Darren Franklin were living off scraps as the service to them was poor, but in the 17th minute Darren Franklin did well to win the ball off a defender on the wing and whip over a cross that flew just wide of the far post. That led to a good spell of pressure from us and in the 29th minute Darren Franklin was unlucky when his header from a corner smacked against the bar. It was then Mark Burfoot’s turn to get in on the act when the Hatfield defence failed to clear a free kick and Burf struck a shot which forced the away keeper Sam Lacey to get down low to save.
Jason Beck curled a shot just wide after a poor clearance and Henry Thomas came to the rescue with a terrific block tackle after Matthew Standen had been played into a good shooting position. Daniel Broux just failed to get a touch to a ball played back into our area following a free kick and Graham Hall forced the Hatfield keeper into good save but after this late flurry of activity it had been a generally scrappy first half and no surprise that it ended 0-0.
HT: Tring Athletic 0 Hatfield Town 0
It didn’t take us long to get into our stride after the break, just two minutes in fact. Steve Smith’s clearance sent Mark Burfoot away down the left and his cross was converted at the near post by Tony Fields to open the scoring. The same two players were to combine again in the 71st minute this time Tony Fields was the provider with a pin point cross to the far side of the area where Mark Burfoot struck a stunning volley which flew past the keeper to put us 2-0 ahead. In between these goals Darren Franklin had a header cleared off the line after a lovely pass from Graham Hall and Daniel Broux skilfully worked himself into a good shooting position but his effort was blocked by a good save from Keith Eldridge.
Both sides made substitutions, we brought on Vinnie Iannone and Ashley Addison for Darren Franklin and David Whicker and later Ron Duncan for Brett Court. After falling 2 goals behind Hatfield rallied and came back strongly and Dave Salmon and Steve Smith had to make some timely interventions to snuff out possible danger. Matthew Standen and Rhys Lawrence had the best opportunities for the visitors but both failed to hit the target.
With just three minutes of normal time left we finished off our opponents with two clinically executed goals from Chris Salmon. His first came from some lovely interplay with Mark Burfoot and Vinnie Iannone which sent him through and he coolly curled the ball past the keeper. Two minutes into added time Chris got his head to a whipped in free kick from Ashley Addison and the ball hit the underside of the bar and in. It was Chris Salmon’s first goals of the season and just reward for a hard working player who can slot into defence or midfield. Keith Eldridge made sure we kept a clean sheet but getting down low to save a well struck free kick from Lewis Field and keep the score at 4-0 to us.
FT: Tring Athletic 4 Hatfield Town 0
This was a very good win and a much better performance from the players in the second half. With Aylesbury winning 4-1 at Oxhey Jets it keeps us in second place in the table on goal difference although the Bucks side do have 3 games in hand. We will hope to maintain our good run and keep the pressure on Aylesbury who we visit on 28th December for what should be a very interesting game.
Teams:
TA: Keith Eldridge, Dave Salmon, Brett Court (Rob Duncan 84) , Graham Hall (Capt), Steve Smith, Henry Thomas, David Whicker (Ashley Addison 74), Chris Salmon, Mark Burfoot, Darren Franklin (Vinnie Iannone 74), Tony Fields. Subs not used: Matt Myatt, Danny Gray.
HT: Sam Lacey, Ross Gilbert, Richard Cooke, Gary Coley (Lewis Owen 76), Grant Macaree (John McGrandles 76), Daniel Staples, Daniel Broux, Trevor Golder (Capt) (Lewis Field 66), Matthew Standen, Rhys Lawrence, Jason Beck. Subs not used: Gary Statham, Gary Ansell.
Goals:
TA: Tony Fields (47), Mark Burfoot (71), Chris Salmon (87, 90+2)
HT: -
Crowd: 88
HT Website: http://www.hatfieldtownfc.co.uk |
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Not (quite) over the line; a rare first half highlight
Tony steers in number one
Masterclass in the art of the volley. Mr.B. makes it 2-0
Chris finishes a slick move off with aplomb
Chris Salmon's second sails over the 'keeper
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