Match Report:
Tring Athletic Reds 3 - Berkhamsted Raiders 5

Fantastic Performance All Round


Berko started lively with some very sharp passing and moving - it didn't last long. Very quickly we were in about them, breaking up play and creating pressure ourselves. Our fitness, our commitment and our energy was rewarded with a goal from Alex in the 8th minute (only minutes after a goal was disallowed for 'offside'). Our work rate around the pitch and determination to be first to the ball kept Berkhamsted quiet for the first 25 minutes. The sheer effort that we put in started to take its toll and we were rocked by 3 quick goals from Berko in 23rd, 28th and 35 minutes. We pushed again, determined to strike back before half-time - a cross from the left caused a scramble in the 6 yard box and Alex grabbed our second on 43 minutes.

Half time TAFC 2 - Berkhamsted Raiders 3

We remained on top in the early stages of the 2nd half, and were unfortunate to concede a free-kick in the 53 minute that led to Berkhamsted's 4th goal. Again we pushed on, with an immediate response from Harrison in the 54th minute. While pushing for the equaliser, we left ourselves a little exposed at the back, which Berkhamsted exploited to score their 5th and final goal in the 65th minute. To get back into the game, we made a couple of changes, changed our shape and continued to press Berkhamsted. This led to 2 goal line clearances and an excellent passage of play ending in a narrow miss from Tom A (unlucky Tom). In the end we weren't unable to break them down and the score ended 5 - 3 to Berkhamsted.

When we spoke after the match I told the boys there was not to be disappointed, there were nothing but positives from this result. I explained that (my view) if we'd come up against that team 2 weeks ago they would have bullied us off the park. We are quickly learning what it takes to complete at this level, we are increasingly earning the right to play and imposing our style of football on the opposition. In this development period, we might find we lose by the odd goal or 2 (those are the margins) but the progress they are making is massive - I hope the boys can see it, I hope they can feel it.

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