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Tue 9th Mar 2010
League
Sponsored by Barry Simmons
TAFC First team 6-1 Welwyn Garden City
TAFC goals: Darren Franklin (2), Chris Salmon, Ashley Addison, Danny Gray, Andy Mullins |
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Our commanding performance and clinical finishing put WGC to the sword in the second half to keep us on the coat tails of leaders Chalfont St Peter. After Saturday’s disappointing defeat and blank sheet Manager Phil Casserley will be delighted to see us bounce straight back and he had the added bonus of seeing Andy Mullins scoring in his first game back after a long spell out injured.
This was game between two teams at opposite ends of the Premier Division but during the first half this was not reflected in the play. WGC’s new manager Phil Reid has brought in some new players and the visitors started in a style that didn’t suggest they were lacking in confidence. They played with the muscular Sam Gomez up front with quick support being provided from midfield. Gomez was a real handful and in seventh minute he did well to get to the bye line but wasted the opportunity with an over hit cross.
With five players spread across midfield WGC worked hard to press our players, giving them little time and space on the ball. The visitors had plenty of pace and Mike Underwood had to be quick off his line to clear the ball off the toes of Dominic Hinds. Despite the good start by the visitors it was us who took the lead in the 13th minute when the WGC keeper Mark Jessop completely missed a high ball that bounced outside his area. Darren Franklin collected the ball then coolly slotted it into the net as a defender chased back frantically to clear.
Darren Franklin was in action again a few minutes later when he latched onto a Mark Burfoot flick but shot straight at the keeper. WGC created danger from long throws and we were our own worst enemy by giving too many free kicks away. WGC winger Stewart King caused problems with his tremendous pace and it required a terrific tackle from David Salmon to halt him as he burst into the area after a fine run down the right wing.
The game had been fairly even but in the run up to half time we went close twice to stretching our lead. Some great play by Tony Fields on the right released David Salmon near the bye line in the area and Poomy pulled the ball back to Mark Burfoot whose shot was superbly saved by Mark Jessop. Later Mark Burfoot’s goal bound header from a corner was cleared by a defender. But a tight competitive first half came to an end with the visitors just a goal behind.
Half Time: Tring Athletic 1 WGC 0
We came out a different proposition after the break and we gradually took control of the game. Within three minutes of the second half restarting Darren Franklin slipped a lovely pass to Mark Burfoot who shot over the bar. You would normally have put your money on Burf scoring in that situation but as this was his first start since the end of January he may have lacked his usual sharpness.
But we did not have to wait long to extend our lead as the second goal arrived a minute past the hour mark. Chris Salmon knocked the ball into the area and despite the close attention of a defender and the keeper Darren Franklin did supremely well to lob the ball into the net for his second goal against his former club.
With Sam Gomez getting little change out of Henry Thomas, who had a terrific game, he was substituted by Garrssu Watterston and later WGC brought on Shane Manogue for Josh Dance. Darren Franklin won a chase for the ball on the left and whipped in a terrific cross which a defender did well to clear as Tony Fields closed in. Danny Gray was causing problems down both flanks and his cross just failed to pick out Darren Franklin.
We were enjoying more space and time than we had in the first half but in the 69th minute we were pegged back. The speedy Stewart King raced down the right wing and as he broke into the area he was fouled by Rob Duncan and a penalty was rightfully awarded. WGC skipper Darren Wells neatly stroked the ball past Mike Underwood to make the score 2-1 and bring his side right back into the game.
However, any hope the visitors had of putting us under pressure were deflated within less than a minute when from 25 yards and under pressure Chris Salmon lobbed the ball over the keeper to restore our two goal cushion again. Phil Casserley made a number of changes, no doubt mindful that he needs to keep his players as fresh as possible for the final 12 games of the season, replacing Mark Burfoot and Darren Franklin with Vinnie Iannone and Ashley Addison and the two subs combined in the 80th minute to make the score 4-1, Vinnie heading the ball down to Ash who tucked his shot nicely inside the post.
Two minutes later the score was 5-1, Graham Hall struck a super pass to send Danny Gray down the middle and the wingman capped a fine performance to slot the ball past the keeper. There was the welcome sight of Andy Mullins coming on for Graham Hall for his first appearance since mid November and he showed he had not lost his scorers instinct when he notched goal number six. It started with a neat pass out of defence from Rob Duncan to Danny Gray who then lofted the ball down the left to send Vinnie Iannone away. Vinnie struck a fine cross for Andy Mullins to fire home at the far post. It was end to end stuff and a fine goal. Mulls had a chance to double his account but he shot wide when in a good position.
Full Time: Tring Athletic 6 WGC 1
After a tight and competitive first half we took the initiative in the second to run out easy winners in the end. The defence was well marshalled and played extremely well giving Mike Underwood plenty of protection and not allowing the opposition many scoring chances. But credit must also go to WGC who played with bags of spirit and determination, and at times no little skill, despite their parlous situation which sees them propping up the table with just four wins all season and one of those has been scrubbed because they played an ineligible player.
On the same night Chalfont St Peter narrowly beat Kingsbury London Tigers 3-2 at home after being two goals down. The winner which was a late OG means they have an eight point lead over us but we have two games in hand. Aylesbury drew 0-0 at home to Broxbourne Borough and they may be feeling the pressure as they have dropped four points in their last two games. Aylesbury remain in third place, four points behind us but with a game in hand.
Our next test comes at Dunstable Town on Saturday who have already beaten us twice this season. But with players back from injury we almost have a full squad and we are more than capable of coming back with something from Creasey Park.
Teams:
TA: Mike Underwood, David Salmon, Rob Duncan, Graham Hall (Capt) (Andy Mullins 85), Brett Court, Henry Thomas, Tony Fields, Chris Salmon, Mark Burfoot (Vinnie Iannone 71), Darren Franklin (Ashley Addison 78), Danny Gray. Sub not used: Keith Eldridge, Steve Smith.
WGC: Mark Jessop, Luke Reid, Darren Wells (Capt), Richard Teixeira, Josh Dance (Shane Manogue 66), Piero Bagarone, Jason Williams, Adam Newton (Martin Skipp 87), Sam Gomez (Garrssu Watterston 62), Dominic Hinds, Stewart King. Sub not used: Dean Hutchinson.
Goals:
TA: Darren Franklin (13, 61), Chris Salmon (70), Ashley Addison (80),
Danny Gray (82), Andy Mullins (90)
WGC: Darren Wells (69)
Crowd: 50 |
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1-0
2-0
3-1
Place holder for Ashley - completely hidden by the defence
5-1
6-1
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