A pulsating 93 minutes resulted in our hosts recovering from a 2-0 half time deficit to complete a double ( having won 2-1 at the Grass Roots Stadium)

In front of a crowd in excess of 200, Leighton Town flew out the blocks with ex-Tring Athletic player Kieran Turner putting in a couple of pacy crosses. As the game settled we, probably a little to our own surprise, held our own. We forced a number of corners which came to nothing and our front 3 of Joe Naylor, Clem Asante and debutant Wes Iroegbu looked lively. Behind them Prince Nimoh consistently ran at Leighton and set up a couple of half chances without really working the home custodian. In midfield Connor Blake and Will Salmon protected the defence and stopped their midfield getting more than their fair share of possession.

The two centre halves of Ollie Butler and Les Barkers-Obua won nearly every first ball and full backs Jack Sunderland and Gareth Terblance worked hard to stop crosses and to play our wide men in.

In goal keeper David Saunders, apart from one superb save, had relatively little to do and handled and kicked the ball well.

On 35 mins our confidence grew when Prince Nimoh drove from 35 yds and tucked the ball into the net. This rocked our hosts and we then should perhaps have extended our lead when Clem Asante and Wes Iroegbu passed up good chances.

Then in the 47th minute a delightful chipped free kick was headed deftly in by Will Salmon.

Half time Leighton Town 0-2 Tring Athletic

At the break Leighton Town reacted by introducing 2 of their big guns and they began to dominate possession and playing the ball in behind our defenders.

We got through to the 61st minute without having particularly troubled the hosts keeper and then a single misplaced pass arguably changed the game and the first of a brace by Danny Webb gave Leighton Town a boost and they now forced us back. On 66 mins the equaliser came with a neat finish from a narrow angle but maybe a lack of energy meant we hadn't played the offside trap and now the floodgates threatened to open.

On 70 mins Danny Webb played a delicious long pass, although again arguably we gave possession away, for Archie Mclelland to volley into the net.

To some extent we regained our equilibrium but despite making changes we created nothing more than a couple of half chances and our opponents hit the bar.

The squad which was missing Kev McManus and Harrison Cornick and is waiting for Euan Anderson and Frankie Hercules to get more minutes looks stronger and there is competition for places.

Sadly, apart from the result, it's hard to criticise the performance of this squad who matched one of the best teams in the Division and showed no lack of commitment as could be seen by the disappointed faces.

I'd like to thank all those we came to support. Much appreciated.

Also thanks to Richard "Dickie" Smith, Keith Eldridge, Michael East and Paul Vockins for their help in the preparation.

I'm sure if we can carry on improving and learning we will turn the corner soon.

Onto League leaders Colney Heath on Saturday.

TAFC team
D.Saunders
J.Sunderland ( M.Habashi)
O.Butler
L.Barkers-Obua
G.Terblanche ( J.Cowan)
C. Blake
W.Salmon 1g
P.Nimoh 1g (C.Vardy)
C.Asante
J.Naylor
W.Ireogu

Subs not used.W.Foley,M.Stacey.

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