Match Report:
Widmer End Pirates 1 - Tring Athletic Reds 8
Scorers: Euston-Moore, Holmes (2), Reeves, Saunders, Selwyn, Cornick, Thomson

Much deserved result after a season of hard work

Well considering we were 2 nil up against Widmer in our home match (only to lose 4-2 after some questionable goal keeping decisions from the manager), we always felt we could match them this morning. Match them we did.

Setting up with a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, we planned to pressurise Widmer from the start, with a solid midfield platform and a high paced front line of Casey, Holmes and Euston-Moore. We made a number of chances in the first 10 minutes, pulling 2 outstanding saves from their keeper and some last ditch tackles from their formidable defence. In truth Widmer knew they were in for a difficult morning and it wasn't long before we scored with an excellently worked goal from Euston-Moore, spinning the ball delicately past their sprawling keeper on 13 minutes - straight from the training field. The second goal took a little longer but our high pressing game, intricate movement and relentless pressure eventually paid off with a goal from Holmes on 34 minutes. Our defence looked imperious throughout, with Widmer limited to a handful of forays into our half and just 2 corners - Thomson was a spectator throughout.

Half Time: Widmer 0 - Tring 2

At half-time I praised the boys for their work ethic and the total football they were trying to play. I recognised that our work rate was reaching the necessary levels but we needed to work on the quality of our football, passing and shooting with better accuracy. I reminded the boys that we had been 2-0 up against this team before - the next goal was crucial.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first - if anything we were even more dominant, sweeping the ball from left to right reminiscent of Liverpool in their heady Jan Molby days (before he put the weight on). The amount of possession we had was staggering and gradually broke the spirit of Widmer - the crucial 3rd goal came just 10 minutes into the half when Holmes, who had been unselfish throughout the match, slotted from short range. Not satisfied with 3-0, our boys went in search of more glory and were rewarded with goals on 65 minutes from a very composed Reeves, 66 minutes from Saunders and 68 minutes from a frankly startled Selwyn - more was still to come. Cornick, who had strolled through the CDM role for most of the morning, arrived late in the box to curl a shot top left on 75 minutes - unstoppable - 7-0 - and Thomson, released from his goal keeping and centre half duties, started and finished a pattern of play routine we practice regularly in our Saturday sessions to take us to 8-0 on 80 minutes.

We were unfortunate to concede on 85 minutes, when Widmer were awarded and converted a questionable free-kick (sympathetic referee ??).

Final Score:Widmer End Pirates 1 - Tring Athletic Reds 8

We clearly came up against a very below par Widmer this morning, however, we can only play the team in front of us and the boys did well to maintain the right levels of energy, organisation and discipline. But for some excellent goal keeping and a strong performance from the Widmer defence, this could have been an embarrassing score line for the Pirates (ooh arr). As we near the end of the season, it would be pleasing to finish with a couple more strong results.

Team as follows (all subs played)
Charlie Thomson (GK), Alfie Sharrocks, Adam Connors, Josh Maxfield, Connor Fitzgerald
Finn Euston-Moore, Harvey Chamberlain, Harrison Cornick, Dylan Whitehead, Harry Casey, Alex Holmes

Subs
Dylan McAuley, Jake Saunders , Tom Selwyn, Michael Reeves

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