Following Saturdays disappointing loss against St. Margaretsbury, we had to get a result on Tuesday evening at the impressive Copthall Stadium and managed to do so thanks to an impressive display by Ashley Addison. With the pitch being in the centre of an athletics stadium surrounded by a running track viewing was difficult from ground level, but from high up in the stands it was like watching at a top football ground.

We started off trying to play our passing game but too often the final ball wasnt quite the right choice. The home side played a long ball game and with us playing a high back line, they looked dangerous running passed our defence. Keith Eldridge making his 2nd First Team start of the season had to be alert on several occasions to come out quickly to act as a sweeper.

In the 4th minute Danny Gray lost possession allowing the home forward to break clear but his shot went wide. Then in the 6th minute a long throw was headed on to Kesi Dryden and his shot hit the bar before bouncing down and over the line for a disputed goal for the home side. Our players hotly disputed whether the ball had actually gone in and the linesman did not give the goal, but the referee decided it had so the goal counted.

We did not panic and gradually gained the upper hand again. Chris Salmon was fouled but the resulting free kick from Ashley Addison went straight to the keeper. Chris Salmon then found Mark Burfoot whose shot came back out to Ashley, who again could only find the keeper. Another free kick was awarded in 21st minute this time for a foul on Ashley but from 20 + yards out he failed to get past the home wall.

We were now controlling the game and a long ball out from Steve Smith found Burf who headed onto Ashley who was then fouled. Graham Hall took a short free kick to Tony fields who then passed back to G but his shot went wide of the post. More good interplay between Graham Hall, Ashley Addison and Danny Gray ended with the latter having a shot which although the home keeper spilled he managed to collect before Danny could get to the rebound.

In the 30th minute we got a deserved equaliser as the Ashley Addison show got under way. His great corner was met by Henry Thomas to head his first goal for the club. We had to make a change in the 36th minute with Matt Myatt replacing Chris Salmon who pulled up with a tight hamstring. Our defenders were now containing the home side and a long ball from Steve Smith found Tony Fields out on the right. His shot was headed out but only as far as Dave Salmon who found Danny Gray but his effort went wide.

Danny was starting to get more into the game and as he cut inside he was fouled some 30 yards out. Ashley stepped up again for the kick and picked out Burfoot to head in the second goal. As the half was coming to an end another long ball out of defence, this time found Ashley Addison. He cut inside beating several defenders, and with his fellow forwards screaming for the ball he calmly shot into the top corner from 25 yards out.

Half Time:Kentish Town 1Tring Athletic 3

The second half started much as the first with us trying to play our passing game but not quite getting the final ball right. In the 63rd minute we won a corner which found Matt Myatt, he put Ashley Addison through but he shot wide. Our defence was then nearly caught out as they appealed for offside but the assistant kept his flag down and Henry Thomas had to get back to make a great tackle to prevent the forward having a clear shot at goal. Andy Mullins was brought on for Mark Burfoot who had made a good contribution despite still carrying an injury. It did not take Mulls long to get into the game and a great cross picked out Ashley. His first effort was only parried out by the home keeper and he followed up to score his 2nd and our 4th.

After 75 minutes Jack Thomson came on for Danny Gray and 2 minutes later Ash ran onto a through ball and shot home for his hat trick. We were still pushing forward and Rob Duncan was making some good runs down the left. He was fouled on one of these forays and Tony Fields played the free kick back to Robbie whose cross was put out for a corner. Goal number 6 looked on the cards when Graham Hall ghosted in at the far post to meet the kick but he headed just wide.

The home side did not give up and only some last ditch defending prevented them from getting a shot at goal. However with just a few minutes to go, they got their consolation when Aaron Clark picked up a clearance and lobbed Keith Eldridge. The home side were still trying to breach our back line and in the dying seconds Keith had to get to the edge of his area to collect at Clarks feet.

There was still time for an unsavoury incident when a home player apparently stamped on Phil Casserleys ankle. Unfortunately neither official saw this happen and after Phil had understandably reacted he was sent to the stand by the Referee.

Full Time:Kentish Town2Tring Athletic5

A good team performance and good reaction following Saturdays disappointment and a particularly great night for Ashley with two assists and his own hat trick.

Scorers

Kentish Town:K Dryden (6), A Clark (88)

Athletic: A Addison (45,70,77), H Thomas (30), M Burfoot (41)

Team: K Eldridge, D Salmon, R Duncan, G Hall (Capt), S Smith, H Thomas, T Fields, C Salmon (M Myatt 36), M Burfoot (A Mullins 68), A Addison, D Gray (J Thomson 75). Subs not used: B Court.

Crowd:17


REPORT FROM KENTISH TOWN F C WEBSITE


MATCH REPORT

Wed 24 Mar 2010 League
Kentish Town FC 1st Team 2
Kesi Dryden (1)
Aaron Clarke (1)
Tring Athletic 5

Kentish Towns 3 game unbeaten run came to an end against a strong Tring Athletic team. The Townies had a strong opening to the match which resulted in a goal from Kesi Dryden in the 6th minute. However on the half hour mark the game turned on its head as Tring showed their quality at set pieces to cross and head home the equaliser.

It was 2-1 to the away side 11 minutes later as the Townies came undone from another well delivered set piece as Tring headed in again in a similar fashion to the first goal.

With the Townies still reeling Tring hit a third on the counter attack at the stroke of half-time to make it 3-1 and really turn the game on its head.

Kentish Town started the second half brightly but could not take advantage and were duly punished from another counter attack as Addison scored from another counter attack following a lucky deflection.

Another deflection resulted in a 5th for Tring as Town looked down and out. However to the home sides credit they picked themselves up and dominate the remainder of the match, with Aaron Clarke curling a right footer into the top corner for a consolation goal.

Hudson said after the game Tring are the best side we have played and they are rightly competing for the title, in all honestly I am surprised they have slipped 6 points off the leaders. They are very well organised, very fit and they have good players who are not scared to pass the ball.

We are still finding our feet as a side and Tring came too soon for us and were not able to match their sharpness. It wasnt our best performance and we are disappointed not to put up more of a fight but we have been on a good run and set backs are part and parcel of football. So we move forward now and look to put it right against St Margaretsbury at Copthall on Saturday.

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