WE SUFFER ANOTHER DEFEAT

Athletic succumb to yet another defeat this time against local rivals Leighton Town in the Challenge Trophy.

A number of changes were made to last Saturdays game including young reserve keeper Luke Priestley coming in for the unavailable Patrick Sinfield. Also starting the game was Sam Joliffe back from injury.

Leighton were the first to threaten after only 10 minutes when Ben Gallant was played through but Athletics young keeper spread himself to save with his legs. Athletics first meaningful attack saw a deep cross from Elliott Goward find Kieran Turner at the back post, but under pressure his header was easily gathered by the visiting keeper.

After 25 minutes Leighton scored what proved to be the only goal of the game. The ball was fed inside to Lewis McBride who was in acres of space around 25 yards out, where he had time to control the ball and pick his spot to fire into the top corner of the goal.

Athletic came back a few minutes later when Elliott Goward found space in the area but visiting keeper Charlie Jones saved his shot. Play became scrappy with both sides guilty of giving the ball away.

Half time: TAFC 0- 1 Leighton Town

Athletic started the second half the better of the two sides, but Leighton weathered this early pressure fairly comfortably. A free kick was conceded by Athletic just outside of their penalty area and from the resultant kick keeper Luke Priestley saved well. In the 67th minute Alex Campana, who was playing in an unfamiliar left back position, let fly from distance which was deflected for a corner, this was followed just 2 minutes later when the same player went on a run but again the chance was deflected.

Athletic were asserting more pressure on the visitors defence now and following a corner Mark Riddick headed back across goal, the ball fell loose but was scrambled over the bar by some desperate defending, amazingly though the referee awarded a goal kick. Athletic did have the ball in the net but substitute Jack Read was clearly offside.

With 8 minutes left Alex Campana re-acted to a late challenge by Leighton substitute Jay Caines which resulted in both players being sent off. In the 3rd minute of added time Kieran Turner was played through but from an angle the keeper parried the ball away for a corner.

Full time: TAFC 0- 1 Leighton Town

Although the players put a lot of effort into the game not many chances were created, there was little to choose between the two sides. Athletics next game is against league leaders Biggleswade FC in the FA Vase at home this coming Saturday.

TAFC: Luke Priestley, Ben Johnson, Alex Campana, Mark Riddick, David OConnor, Tommy Twelves, Lee Stobbs (Jack Read 74), Sam Joliffe (c), Kyle Johnson (George Ironton 62), Kieran Turner, Elliott Goward (Ashton Campbell 35).

Leighton Town: Charlie Jones, Tom Bryant (Brian Foulgar 72), Matt Brady, Dave Murphy (c), Carl Resch, Yusef Seodi, Lewis McBride (George Armstrong 86), Aaron McKee, Ben Gallant (Jay Caines 74), Dom Marsala, Kyle Davison-Gordon

Attendance:76

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Following report taken from Leighton Town's Website
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Tring Athletic 0 v Leighton Town F C 2
Tue 27 Nov 19:45 - Cup
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Town Through To League Challenge Trophy Quarter Finals After Their Win At Tring By Andrew Parker

The Town made the short journey to Tring Athletic on Tuesday Evening, for the 2nd time this season, after an embarrassing 7-1 defeat in September, in the League.

However, this was a League Challenge Trophy fixture, and the Town were looking to build on, what was an impressive victory at Pancake Lane on Saturday.

Tring came into the game in poor form, having lost their last 2, with a 2-0 defeat at home to Wembley last Saturday.

The Town made one change to the side that beat Leverstock Green. The injured Tom Silford made way for Yusef Seodi, with the Town continuing to play a 3 Back.

After being humiliated last time out under the reign of Danny Nicholls, the Town were seeking revenge and were backed superbly, from their travelling supporters throughout the game.

The Town were on top during the first exchanges and should really of been in front, when Ben Gallant raced in on goal, but was denied well by Luke Priestley, in the Tring goal.

The Town continued to dominate, with Seodi and McKee dictating the tempo of the game in the centre of the park and Lewis McBride and Dom Marsala using their energy in the final third.

Midway through the first half, the Town found themselves 1-0 up, courtesy of an absolute rocket from Lewis McBride! The Town star hit a strike from around 25 yards and it nestled beautifully into the top right corner, with Priestley rooted to his goalmouth!

The Town continued to battle and Charlie Jones was called into action for the first time in the game. Kieron Turner fired from the edge of the area, but Jones was equal to the effort and parried the ball away.

Half Time rolled around quickly and the Town went in as deserved leaders.

The second half did not start as quickly as the first, with Leighton doing most of the defensive work and Tring failing to test Jones in the opening Second Half minutes.

Time was ticking on and Tring were getting closer and closer to being knocked out of the competition.

Tom Bryant was replaced for the Town with 15 minutes to go, by Brian Foulger. Ben Gallant, who was excellent once again, was replaced shortly after by Jay Caines.

Tring continued to pressurise the Town backline, but the Reds defended resolutely, after a number of corners and long free kicks.
Tring did then put the ball into the back of the net, but much to their supporters disappointment, the linesman raised his flag for offside.

Then with just under 10 minutes left on the clock, both sides were down to 10 men.

After the ball had gone out of play, a lot of pushing and shoving took place on the sideline and it resulted in Alex Campana of Tring and substitute of only a few minutes, Jay Caines of the Town, being dismissed, both straight Red Cards. Referee John Panconi making a big call, with not long left on his watch.

Dom Marsala was replaced by George Armstrong, in Leightons final change.

With the game in injury time, Tring had 2 opportunities to get themselves back on level terms.

Firstly, Kieron Turner hit a thunderous effort from inside the area that was saved excellently by Jones.

From the resulting corner, Mark Riddick rose highest in the penalty area, but his header was just wide of the Towns post.

Leighton then managed to keep the ball up in Trings third for the remaining minutes, and the referee blew for Full Time!

A deserved victory for the Town, who at times, played some excellent football and caused Tring real problems. A completely different performance to what happened here just 3 months ago.

Thats 2 wins in a row now for the Town, but more importantly, 2 clean sheets. The return of Captain and Leader, Dave Murphy, has certainly helped with that.

The Town progress into the Semi-Final of the League Challenge Trophy and will face Potton United at Bell Close, a week before Christmas Day.

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