Sat 20th Jul 2019
Friendly
TAFC First team 0-3 Chesham Utd
Tring Athletic 0-3 Chesham United
A pre-season friendly between Tring and Chesham took place on a warm Saturday afternoon at The Grass Roots Stadium. A minutes silence was held for Cheshams Matt Sinclair who sadly passed away this week.
Chesham started the better of the two teams and had the first shot of the game that was easily saved by Tring goalkeeper Mann. He was busy two minutes later producing a great save with his legs after some great build up from Chesham. Trings first chance almost led to an own goal when a great cross from Lowen caused panic in the Chesham defence with the centre back just heading wide of his own goal. The resulting corner was well taken by Chesham keeper Laurencin. Despite this chance for Tring, Chesham remained in control and almost took the lead after a mazy run into the box was poorly finished by Chesham winger Wynter. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute after a poor pass out of the back allowed Chesham to break and a good through ball led to a cool finish from Wynter, opening his body out and slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner. Chesham thought they had doubled their lead from a quick free kick, however it was too quick for the referees liking.
Tring were then forced into an early change with Fletcher going off with what looked like a muscular injury. Fletcher was replaced by OHalem. Tring had to be on high alert at the back, with Chesham continuing to pile on the pressure and this was seen when Wynter cut the ball back to Clayton whose goal bound shot was blocked by Lovell. Tring managed to find a bit more going forward with both captain Mitchell and Dash having efforts go close with Dash forcing the Laurencin into a good save. However, just before half time an error from substitute OHalem gifted the ball to Cheshams Clayton who slotted the ball calmly past Mann. At half-time Chesham went in 2-0 up having been on top for the majority of the game and Tring struggling to get a foothold in the game.
There were changes made by both sides for the start of the second half but Chesham still started on the front foot and two subs Adcock and Martin linked up but a brilliant save from Mann onto the post kept the score a 2-0. The resulting corner was taken short and a cross shot was deflected wide by Tring. The initial corner was cleared but Clayton volleyed the ball and bought another great save from Mann. Again Tring attempted to get back into the game and a cross from Lowen was inches from finding the head of substitute Brown. A fierce shot from Lowen briefly had the Chesham keeper worried but went over the bar. Just as Tring were on top, Chesham scored their third with a looping header from Murphy after the initial cross had been headed away from goal. A diving header from Cheshams Jenkins almost made it 4-0 before Tring almost grabbed a consolation after a cross from Brown clipped the top of the bar. Tring pushed for a goal and had a couple of efforts blocked from a dangerous Mitchell free kick. A header from Brown was straight at the keeper, with Chesham going down the other end and having an appeal for a penalty turned down due to a good challenge from OHalom. 3-0 to Chesham was how the game ended, with Tring battling well against a team in a higher division than themselves, but Cheshams class showed through, giving them a comfortable win in the end.
Report by Matthew Keys