HERTS CHARITY SHIELD SEMI FINAL
Tuesday 16th April 2019

Berkhamsted 6 0 Tring Athletic

Athletic were put to the sword by local rivals Berkhamsted in this semi final of the Herts Charity Shield,with goals in the 21st and 46th minute and a devasting 4 goal 14 minute period in the second half.

Athletic were without a number of players who were unavailable as well as two who were ineligible,they also had to endure goalkeeper Pat Sinfield getting injured in the first 5 minutes with an injury to his leg,fortunately Connor Sansom was on the bench to replace him. We wish Pat well and hope his injury is not too serious.

The first twenty minutes were fairly uneventful, even those watching asked me if I had written anything down .This changed just a minute later when a unopposed long diagonal ball was played across the face of Athletics goal before finding centre forward Matt Bateman at the back post who scrambled the ball into the net. Berkhamsted had most of the possession, Athletic were looking to break quickly when given the opportunity.Tring's first opportunity was after 33 minutes when they were awarded a free kick about 30 yards out ,unfortunately the chance did not endanger the home sides goal. Matt Bateman was gifted a chance 4 minutes later but shot way over the bar. Towards the end of the first half Kieran Turner had Athletics first shot on target which was easily saved. In stoppage time Athletics Kieran Turner put Ashton Campbell through, his fierce shot was somehow blocked by keeper Xavi Comas-Leon for a corner,their second of the game.

HT. Berkhamsted 1 0 TAFC

At the beginning of the second half Berkhamsted scored their second goal. A back pass by Roy Byron was picked up by keeper Connor Sansom resulting in a free kick around the penalty spot. Matt Batemans shot was well saved but the loose ball fell to an unmarked Louie Collier who only had a tap in. Athletic tried to get back into the game,but Berkhamsted were unyielding, and in the 71st minute Matt Bateman was through on goal before lobbing over Connor Sansom for his second goal. Both sides introduced substitutes before good play down the left by Luke Dunstan sent over a cross which Kieran Turner, under pressure,headed over the bar. Berkhamsteds fourth goal was scored by Andrew Ofuso with a header following a free kick and cross to the far post. Berkhamsteds remaining two goals were scored by Jonathan Lacey who chipped in at the far post in the 84th minute and Matt Bateman with his third just a minute later.

A disappointing result for Athletic but taken into context Berkhamsted, who now play a level up from Athletic, are a good side and this is depicted by their excellent position in the league which is just outside of the play-off places.We wish them well in the final of the Herts Charity Shield.Athletic must now concentrate on winning their last two league games starting at Cockfosters on Saturday.

Berkhamsted.Xavi Comas-Leon,Harlem Sambu(Marcus Wylie 76),,Danny Murphy(c),Cameron Brooks,Ryan Kinnane,Max Farrell,Andrew Ofuso,Louie Collier(Louis Austin 72),Matt Bateman,Jonathan Lacey,Dan Jones(Jamie Hutchins 80).

TAFC.Pat Sinfield(Connor Sansom 5),Joe Fitzgerald(Chris Clark 62),Brima Johnson,Carl Mensah,Tommy Twelves,Mark Riddick(Joe Naylor 76),Luke Dunstan,Roy Byron,,Ashton Campbell,Kieran Turner(c),James Verney.


Attendance. 164

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