Official Programme
Tring Athletic v Hitchin Town Tuesday 23rd November 2021 7.45pm Herts Senior Challenge Cup—2nd Round Match Sponsor—Mick Eldridge & Ray Brimson
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Grassroots Talk
Good evening & welcome to the Grass Roots Stadium for the visit of Hitchin Town. We welcome their players, officials and supporters and wish them a safe journey home afterwards. The Herts Senior Challenge Cup is a competition we always look forward to with the opportunity to test ourselves again more senior opponents. The Canaries much like ourselves this season have struggled in the league, so cup matches can often be a welcome distraction. We hope for an entertaining match this evening. The winners travel to Hertford Town or St Albans City in the next round. Well done to the lads on Saturday with a great win in the FA Vase. We will now host Saffron Walden Town in the 3rd Round on 11th December so please spread the word around the town to get a big home crowd behind us.
Tonight’s match is sponsored by Mick Eldridge & Ray Brimson who feature on the front cover playing for Hitchin against Ipswich Town. The pair went on to manage Athletic and be a big part of the club’s transformation off the pitch too. We still have match sponsorship availability on future games (see page 16) including Saturday against MK Irish, next Tuesday when we host and local derbies against Leverstock Green and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, so please speak to Graham Bright if you are interested. If you are able to volunteer for the club on a regular basis or even just occasionally please speak to a committee member. We are always grateful for extra support.
Today’s programme
This is the second season of producing online only programmes and we hope to keep improving this offering as time goes on. This is a work in progress so please let us know what you think. If you click on any of the logos or adverts it should direct you straight to our sponsors websites. This also means we can bring you features such as match highlights at the click of a button. Today’s programme includes •
Pages 6 - A selection of items on show from our club shop
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Page 8 & 9 Match report from Saturday’s game against Cockfosters
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Page 10— Highlights of the 2-1 win against Baldock
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Page 21— Today’s match squads
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Pages 32 & 33 —On this Day, we look at a 2-0 defeat at AFC Dunstable from 2013
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As always keep an eye on our website for all the latest information, fixtures and results.
TAFC—Club Shop Take a look at our new club shop in association with O’Neills. Click on any of the items below to take you to our page with branded leisurewear and accessories.
Today’s Match Sponsor Mick Eldridge & Ray Brimson Tonight’s match sponsors need little introduction to long term Athletic followers, playing for Tring in the late 80’s, then managing the first team from the 1990’s until 2007 through the club’s most successful period. Having played football together growing up in Watford they both ended up at Hitchin Town in the early 1980s before moving over to West Hertfordshire.
Match Report Saturday 19th November 2021 FA Vase 2nd Round Cockfosters 0-4 Tring Athletic DASH’S RASH BASH DECIDES THIS CLASH
Ill discipline has, on several occasions, in recent years, cost us dear as we have lost important points and exited cup competitions when reduced to ten men and, once, even to nine. The boot was on the other foot today as the (ex TAFC) Cockfosters centre forward was red carded for violent conduct and left his team the nigh-on impossible task of winning a cup tie whilst playing one man short for 75 minutes, and already one goal down. And so it proved as we gave a thoroughly professional and convincing performance to progress on our exciting 2021/22 FA Vase. Let’s hope a juicy home draw awaits us in the third round. We scored at the right times, early on, then mid-way through the first, right at the beginning of the second and then near the finish, knocking the stuffing out of the opposition who, towards the end, looked a dispirited, despondent outfit. We could have had more as we had shots cleared off the line, hit the cross bar and brought out a man of the match performance from their keeper.
Cockfosters 0-4 TAFC It’s not a day to pick out individuals as excelling for us as, in fact, it was a super team effort with each player contributing to their maximum – a day when the whole was worth more than the sum of the parts. However, I will give a shout out to Adam Sawyer, giving us poise and balance from defence with his cultured left foot.
The writer is bemused as to how our cup form can be so much better than our league form. This performance belied a team that is sitting equal bottom in our league. This disparity has to be analysed and addressed by team management as, exciting as this cup run is, it will count for nothing unless we start picking up points and move up the table towards our targeted mid-table position. Team: David Saunders, Ben Johnson, Harrison Cornick, Scott Bonner, Adam Sawyer, George Carberry, Manny Gbejuade, John Smith, Frankie Hercules, Kieran Turner, Chris Blunden Playing Subs Jimmy Dohery, Reilly Churchill, Ali Mohiuddin
Highlights & Social Media Watch highlights of our 2-1 win over Baldock Town by clicking on the picture below
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The League
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Leighton Town Risborough Rangers Leverstock Green Harpenden Town New Salamis Hadley Harefield United Milton Keynes Irish Arlesey Town London Colney Flackwell Heath Oxhey Jets Ardley United Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Holmer Green Broadfields United Baldock Town Crawley Green Dunstable Town Tring Athletic
17 13 14 13 12 13 13 13 13 14 12 13 11 14 12 10 11 14 14 12
10 10 9 8 8 7 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 3 1
4 3 1 2 1 2 3 4 2 2 1 4 2 2 1 0 1 4 1 4
Table as at Friday 5th November 2021
3 0 4 3 3 4 4 4 6 7 6 5 5 8 7 6 7 8 10 7
27 31 17 10 21 1 15 4 -6 -15 4 -14 4 -10 -24 -8 -10 -12 -23 -12
34 33 28 26 25 23 21 19 17 17 16 16 14 14 13 12 10 10 10 7
Officials Life President Life Vice Presidents
Mick Eldridge BEM David Evans MBE, Barry Johnson, Jean & Les Robins, Ralph Griffiths, Harry Bowden, Pete Stillwell, Alan Foskett, Pete Oakley, Keith Hamilton
Chairman Vice Chairman Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Commercial Manager Match Secretary - South Midlands & Herts Snr Registration Secretary Club Welfare Officer First Team Manager First Team Coaches First Team Technical Advisor Reserve Team Management EJA Under 18' Management EJA Under 16's Management Sports Physio Football Co-Ordinator Press Officer Website Social Media Programme Editor Groundsman Facilities Manager Membership Secretary Catering Bar Manager
Bob Winter Tony Stedman & Mark Weston David Blair Tony Stedman Graham Bright Tony Stedman Trevor Langley Kirstie McNeil Ryan Sturges Lee Groves, Kieran Turner, Gareth Jackson Ian Richardson Michael Churchill, Ian Butler Michael Churchill, Iain Lorimar David Lawless Vacant Vacant Vacant Keith Eldridge / Colin Sturges Keith Eldridge , Terry Adams Keith Eldridge Darrell Bodimeade David Whicker Graham Bright Vacant Tash Young
Committee Members Bob Winter (Chairman) Tony Stedman, Ian Butler, Neil Foskett, Graham Bright, David Blair, Mark Weston, Keith Eldridge, Andy Ayres., David Whicker
From The Dugout We are delighted to bring our second episode of hosted by Damon Wood. From The Dugout aims to bring you interviews and news from our management teams, players and others around the club. Click on the image below to watch episode 2 which features a discussion with first team manager Ryan Sturges talking about our first league win of the season, a new kit and a presentation for Alfie Brittain.
Please comment, like and subscribe to our YouTube Channel so that you can tune in to future episodes
Match Sponsorship Why not support the Club by sponsoring a Match. It only costs £50 and includes free entry for two, access to the boardroom for half-time refreshments and an acknowledgement in the match programme all season. Contact Graham Bright on 07722 240963 or via email to tringathleticfc@hotmail.com
Saturday 7th August—Keynsham Town Tuesday 31st August—Holmer Green Saturday 4th September—Harpenden Town Saturday 18th October—Leighton Town Tuesday 21st October—Dunstable Town Saturday 9th October—London Colney Saturday 16th October—Flackwell Heath Tuesday 19th October—Broadfields United Saturday 6th November—Baldock Town Tuesday 23rd November—Hitchin Town Saturday 27th November—Milton Keynes Irish Tuesday 30th November—Arlesey Town Saturday 11th December—Oxhey Jets Tuesday 28th December—Leverstock Green Saturday 8th January—Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Saturday 15th January—Harefield United Saturday 5th February—Hadley Saturday 12th March—New Salamis Saturday 2nd April—Ardley United Tuesday 19th April—Risborough Rangers Saturday 30th April—Crawley Green
The Cook Partnership Heygates Ralph Griffiths Tony Stedman & Dave Snelman Dick Lovelace Brian Lovell / The Samaritans The Cook Partnership Pendley Day Nursery Richard & Tim Solk Mick Eldridge & Ray Brimson Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available
Fixture List Tue 3 Aug Sat 7 Aug Sat 21 Aug Tue 31 Aug Sat 4 Sep Sat 11 Sep Tue 14 Sep Sat 18 Sep Tue 21 Sep Sat 25 Sep Sat 2 Oct Sat 9 Oct Tue 12 Oct Sat 16 Oct Tue 19 Oct Sat 23 Oct Sat 30 Oct Sat 6 Nov Sat 13 Nov Tue 16 Nov Sat 20 Nov Tue 23 Nov Sat 27 Nov Tue 30 Nov Sat 4 Dec Sat 11 Dec Sat 18 Dec Tue 28 Dec Mon 3 Jan Sat 8 Jan Sat 15 Jan Sat 29 Jan Sat 5 Feb Tues 8 Feb Sat 12 Feb Tue 1 Mar Sat 5 Mar Sat 12 Mar Sat 19 Mar Sat 26 Mar Sat 2 Apr Sat 9 Apr Sat 16 Apr Tue 19 Apr Sat 23 Apr Sat 30 Apr
D 1-1 W 3-0 L 2-0 L 1-2 D1-1 W2-2 L4-0 L0-4 L0-1 W1-4 D3-3 W1-0 D2-2 L1-2 7.45pm W1-1 L3-2 W2-1 L3-0 L2-1 W0-4 7.45pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 2pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 7.45pm 3pm 3pm
Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Away Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division 2-4 pens FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division 3-4 pens FA Vase 1st Round Proper Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away FA Vase 2st Round Proper Home Herts Senior Challenge Cup Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home FA Vase 3rd Round Proper Away Challenge Trophy Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Away Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Home Spartan South Midlands Premier Division
Oxhey Jets Keynsham Town Bishops Cleeve Holmer Green Harpenden Town Long Buckby Harefield United Leighton Town Dunstable Town FC Deportivo Galicia Crawley Green London Colney Hadley Flackwell Heath Broadfields United Ardley United Milton Keynes Irish Baldock Town Ardley United Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Cockfosters Hitchin Town Milton Keynes Irish Arlesey Town Dunstable Town Saffron Walden Town Bovingdon Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Harefield United Holmer Green Hadley New Salamis Flackwell Heath Oxhey Jets Leighton Town New Salamis Harpenden Town London Colney Ardley United Arlesey Town Leverstock Green Risborough Rangers Broadfields United Crawley Green
Today’s- Squads
Tring Athletic FC
David Saunders Jonny Pitts Ben Johnson James Ferguson Harrison Cornick Oliver Butler Scott Bonner George Carbery Frankie Hercules Tommy Twelves Kieran Turner Adam Sawyer Chris Blunden Cameron Brooks John Smith Emmanuel Gbejuade Evans Lamboh Ali Mohiuddin Luke Peerless Manager - Ryan Sturges Asst Manager- Lee Groves Coach—Gareth Jackson
Technical coach—Ian Richardson GK Coach - Gary Looker
Hitchin Town Charles Horlock Josh Mollison Daniel Akubuine Alex Brown Malaki Black Daniel Webb Ciaren Jones Darion Furlong Matthew Moloney Samuel Okaye-Ahaneku Kye Tearle Ryan Smith Josh Coldicott-Stevens Stephen Gleeson Lawrie Marsh Lewis Barker Henry Snee Callum Stead Rio Da Silva Sam Meakes Manager: Assistant Manager: Sports Therapist :
Next Up
Milton Keynes Irish Saturday 27th November Kick off 3pm
FREE £7.00 £7.00 FREE £4.00
TAFC Socials Saturday 11th December— Pre Match Members Lunch. Ahead of the FA Vase game £20 per person increases a main meal, desert & two drinks. Contact Ian Butler on 07889 203609 to reserve your place. Saturday 11th December—Club Christmas Party. From 7pm. All welcome. Friday 17th December— TAFC Veterans vs Berkhamsted. Kick off 7.45pm
Saturday 15th January —Presidents Dinner. Details to follow on the website
Our opponents Hitchin Town FC – a Brief History The first Hitchin FC was formed in 1865. The club took part in the first FA Cup in 187172, and reached the quarter finals of the competition, losing to eventual finalists Royal Engineers. That first Hitchin club, a struggling professional outfit, folded in 1911, debt-ridden and the victims of a fire at their ground. It was not until 1928 that Hitchin Town FC was formed, and it was at this point that the nickname, “The Canaries”, was established. Hitchin Town gained admission to the Spartan League. The 1930s were a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club won the AFA Senior Cup in 1932, beating Derbyshire Amateurs in the final and in 1935, they won the Spartan League Premier Division. The club entered the Athenian League in 1939, but after two league games and a Herts Charity Cup tie, WW2 intervened. Hitchin struggled in the aftermath of World War Two in the Athenian League, not recovering until the mid-1950s. In 1956 a record crowd of 7,878 watched Hitchin Town beat Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 in the FA Amateur Cup. At the end of the 196263 season, the Canaries moved into the Isthmian League. This move was not an easy one for the club, and the early years were a constant struggle. But in 196869, Hitchin finished runners-up in the Isthmian League and a year later, won the London Senior Cup, beating St.Albans 4-2 in the final. Hitchin stayed in the Isthmian League until 2004, when as a result of a reorganisation they transferred to the Southern League. They won the Southern League Cup in 2006, and despite relegation in 2009, they won promotion back to the Premier Division in 2012, and in 2015-16 and 2016-17 they enjoyed their best-ever seasons in the Southern League, reaching the play-offs on both occasions but missing out on promotions through defeat in the semi-final and then the final. The team also won the Herts Senior Cup in both seasons. 2017-18 saw the start of the break-up of the play-offs team, with three of the key players from that team moving on to pastures new. Nevertheless that team achieved a safe and creditable league position of 11th, and they won the Southern League Cup and the Herts Charity Cup. Season 2018-19 was a season of rebuilding, and consolidation in the new EvoStik League South Premier Division Central was the objective. The team often struggled in the league, and despite some bad runs of results managed to finish 18th and so realised their objective. They fared very much better in the FA Cup, reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in 23 years before bowing out at home to Solihull Moors in front of a crowd of 3,148, the highest attendance at Top Field for over 40 years. The season ended on a high with some silverware, retaining the Hertfordshire Charity Cup by beating Hemel Hempstead Town 2-0.
Hitchin Town Season 2019-20 was a time of real transition and consolidation. The Canaries found themselves in the relegation zone for much of the early part of the season. However a remarkable transformation in the middle of the season saw the team display form which if it had been continued, would have steered the team towards a play-off spot. When the season was cut short by the pandemic, the Canaries were comfortably placed in 17th position, safe from relegation. Season 2020-21 promised much for the Canaries. The team that finished the previous season stayed, and the continuity was starting to show dividends. When the season was curtailed, the Canaries were sitting in a very comfortable tenth place in the League, having bounced back from a nightmare 7-1 defeat at AFC Rushden and Diamonds to record impressive away wins at Stratford Town and Bromsgrove Sporting. This was followed by impressive wins in the FA Trophy against Herne Bay from the Isthmian League and Mickleover FC who at the time were league leaders in the Northern Premier League, before bowing out to eventual semifinalists Peterborough Sports in the Second Round Proper.
The Canaries start the new season with most of last season’s players staying, and the hope that the work from last season can be continued. They will also be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the start of the FA Cup competition, in which the first Hitchin FC team participated. With many new ground improvements in place, the future is looking very bright for the Canaries.
Hitchin Town—Pen Pictures 21/22 Charles Horlock: Goalkeeper who started his career at Wycombe Wanderers before spells at Stevenage U18s, Harrow Borough and Hendon. Horlock signed for the Canaries from Wycombe in November 2014, making 87 appearances between the sticks in what was initially a loan deal. After two seasons, Eastbourne Borough swooped for Horlockhe spent a year there before moving east along the coast to Hastings in late 2017. The goalkeeper returned to Top Field for the 2019/20 season, and is Mark Burke’s first choice once again in the upcoming campaign. Widely viewed as one of the best shot stoppers at this level. Josh Mollison: Back-up goalkeeper and academy coach who highly impressed in Hitchin’s FA Youth Cup campaign of 2017/18, before loan spells at Biggleswade United Barton Rovers, Potton United and most recently Eynesbury Rovers, where he is currently on a dual registration. Daniel Akubuine: Full-back who signed from Berkhamsted in October 2020 , immediately developing a very strong presence and providing competition at right-back Alex Brown: 19 year-old left-back formerly of Soham Town Rangers and Godmanchester Rovers, who was signed at the start of 2021/22 pre-season and quickly impressed. Malaki Black: Quick and energetic full back who can double up as a wing back if needed. Former MK Dons schoolboy who spent time on loan in Spain as part of the academy programme. Daniel Webb: Hitchin captain, an experienced centre back going into a tenth season at Top Field, who is nearing his 400th appearance for the club. Fan favourite Webb started out at Hitchin in 2012 after being spotted playing for Shefford and Campton FC, and has gone on to score 31 goals from centre back. Ciaren Jones: Bedford-born promising 20 year old centre-back who played for Luton U18s before a move to Norwich City’s U23 side. Played for Gloucester City last season. Highly rated by the Hitchin coaches. Darion Furlong: Centre-back most recently plying his trade with Potters Bar Town. Joined the Canaries in pre-season and has impressed with his tackling and awareness. Matthew Moloney Young centre-back signed on a work experience loan deal from Luton Town in October, joining until January 2022. Samuel Okaye-Ahaneku: Right-back who signed from Wingate & Finchley in October 2019. Former Arsenal . Converted to centre back where he has impressed since. Trialled with Watford pre-season but has currently returned to the Canaries. Kye Tearle: Versatile 18 year old product of the Pro:Direct Academy in Baldock. Broke into the first team in the 2020/21 season, initially featuring as a right-back before moving into a midfield role.
Hitchin Town Ryan Smith: Young central midfielder who started off his career at Northampton as an 18 year old first year scholar in July 2018. Mark Burke signed him initially on a work experience loan deal from the Cobblers in February 2020, and he will challenge for his place in the centre of midfield this season. Josh Coldicott-Stevens: Yet another central midfielder who is enjoying stiff competition for a starting role in Mark Burke’s side this season. Josh began his career across Hertfordshire for Boreham Wood in 2016, and went out on loan to both St. Neots and Kings Langley in the 2016/17 season. Kings Langley clearly liked what they saw, and signed Coldicott-Stevens on a permanent deal. He spent two seasons there before signing for the Canaries midway through the 2019/20 season. Stephen Gleeson: Former Irish international midfielder capped four times by his country who featured for the likes of MK Dons, Birmingham City and Ipswich Town at Football League level before moving north of the border to spend 2 seasons at Aberdeen. The 33 year-old joined in November after a spell at Solihull Moors. Lawrie Marsh: Right sided defensive midfielder or centre back who arrived from Biggleswade FC after four seasons there, making a total of 105 appearances across all competitions, scoring 17 goals. Lawrie joins up with his twin brother Alex at Top Field. Lewis Barker: Strong, no-nonsense defensive midfielder who never loses an aerial battle. Barker started out for Baldock in the 2013/14 season, before staying at the club for another five seasons, making a total of 222 appearances for Baldock. Lewis signed for Hitchin at the start of the 2019/20 season and is a regular in the centre of midfield. Henry Snee: Right footed striker who trialled with the Canaries for the 2020/21 preseason after spending the 19/20 season at Shefford Town and Campton, scoring an incredible 38 goals in 40 appearances. Injury problems plagued his progress at Top Field last season, but Snee returned for pre-season 2021/22 and was regularly on the scoresheet. His persistence has been rewarded with him signing for the Canaries for the forthcoming season and he will be looking to challenge for the number 9 shirt. Callum Stead: Rapid striker who draws comparisons with Jamie Vardy. Top scorer for the club this season despite spending some of it so far at South Shields- he recently rejoined after a short spell there. Sought after player by many clubs in non-league. Rio Da Silva: 21 year old winger or attacking midfielder whose career began in the Luton Town academy setup before spending four years as a Chelsea academy prospect. After leaving the Blues, Da Silva spent a year at Dunstable Town before joining Hitchin at the start of the 2020/21 season. Sam Meakes: Young striker recently signed on dual registration from St.Albans after impressing against the Canaries in a behind closed doors friendy.
Today’s Officials Referee
Matthew Fletcher
Assistant Referee Assistant Referee
Anamul Hassan Christopher Poole
The TAFC 1
Club
Support Tring Athletic, Join our 100 Club. This is one of the most popular fund raising activities in the UK, probably the easiest to enter, and the size of the weekly/monthly prize will depend upon the number of people participating. The more people the larger the prize. 50% of all takings go in cash prizes. At the current time we have a weekly CASH prize of £20 and a Monthly 1st prize of £100 and 2nd prize of £50. It costs just £1 per week. Ask a committee member for details.
September winners The monthly 100 draw was undertaken at half time during the London Colney game. The lucky winners were: £100 Phil Casserley £50 Dave & Pamela Dorman £20 Keith Hamilton £20 Steve Johnson £20 Natasha Young Once again winnings will be paid directly to the winners bank accounts.
THE INANE RAMBLINGS FROM UP NORFF “NOWT SO QUEER AS YORKSHIRE FOLK’ BY KAREN BROWNE WEEKEND HEADLINES On a day when clubs remembered the fallen in battle the SSML programme recorded some impressive crowds, in fact all three Divisions recorded their highest league attendances of the campaign with Second Division attracting their best ever league attendance since joining the SSML, in fact no less than eight games attracted three figure crowds. Risborough Rangers return to the top of the Premier Division. New Bradwell St Peter hit seven on the road while Aston Clinton, Dunstable Town, New Salamis, Risborough Rangers Development and Stotfold all net five. Saturday brought about 107 goals from the 27 games (an average of 3.96 per game). Albie Hall (Pitstone & Ivinghoe), Jack Bradford (New Bradwell St Peter) and Ryan MacDonald (Aston Clinton) all netting hat-tricks Saturday Stats: 27 games played of which 14 were home wins, 9 were away wins and 4 draws. Saturday 13th November PREMIER DIVISION Risborough Rangers are the new leaders of the Premier Division following their 2-0 success at Baldock Town as morning leaders Leighton Town were held 0-0 at home against Broadfields United. Harpenden Town and New Salamis lead the chasing pack after both winning, the ‘Harps’ were solitary goal winners at Milton Keynes Irish while Salamis made it three successive league wins as they thumped visiting Crawley Green 5-0. At the other end of the table Dunstable Town climbed off the bottom with a 5-2 success at London Colney while dropped into the relegation places after going down 0-3 at Ardley United. Elsewhere Arlesey Town enjoyed an away day win when defeating Leverstock Green 4-1 while Flackwell Heath defeated visiting Holmer Green 2-0. The days other action saw Hadley overcome visiting Harefield United by a solitary goal. DIVISION ONE Winslow United moved into second place with a 4-2 success against visiting Raunds Town as Ampthill Town dropped to third after going down by the odd goal in three at home against Buckingham Athletic. Leaders Stotfold continue to dominate the standings after disposing of visiting Bedford 5-1 in front of the best Division One attendance of the campaign to date, 392. At the other end of the table there was no change as the bottom three all lost, Irchester United going down by the odd goal in five at Rushden & Higham United while Burton Park Wanderers were beaten by the same score line at Thame United Reserves and London Tigers were on the wrong end of a 1-3 score line at home against Letchworth Garden City Eagles. Elsewhere there were home wins for Long Crendon (3-1 v Shefford Town & Campton), Kidlington Reserves (2-1 against Northampton Sileby Rangers) and Langford who defeated visiting Amersham Town 3-1. DIVISION TWO Bovingdon (4th) welcomed Totternhoe (2nd) in Division Two’s top game and a crowd of 212 witnessed the hosts winning 1-0 to move up into second spot while Pitstone & Ivinghoe climbed to third after a 3-3 draw at Sarratt. The 61FC (Luton) moved out of the re-election one with a 21 win at Codicote, the Hertfordshire club replacing them in the bottom two while the days other action saw Risborough Rangers Development thump visiting Berkhamsted Comrades 5-1.
The Views Expressed Are Solely My Own, Are Written Tongue In Cheek And Should Be Taken With A Pinch Of Salt A weekly column courtesy of the SSML Fixture Secretary
POPPY DAY GAME One of the most prestigious regiments in the British Army has paid tribute to a late soldier and footballer at a special Remembrance match. Private Tom Lake, a member of the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales Regiment, was killed in action in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on November 20, 2011. Pte Lake played for Oxhey Jets and the club once again honoured the memory of one of their own by staging a fourth Remembrance game to raise money for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, this year facing a team from the Coldstream Guards. More than 430 people were at the Boundary Stadium yesterday to watch the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side comfortably win the fixture 6-0 following a moving act of Remembrance and tribute to Pte Lake. Dignitaries, officials and both teams were led onto the pitch by a piper, with former Royal Marine Commando Fred Weaving at the head of the parade as he prepared to take the salute. The occasion was given more gravity by the presence of a member of the Guards Corps of Drums, who sounded The Lost Post ahead of a two minutes silence after the wreath laying ceremony involving councillors, the police, football association officials, young players from Oxhey Jets Youth and both teams. Pte Lake’s mother Carol also laid a wreath and the occasion was to have added poignancy when she officially opened the Tom Lake Memorial Stand for disabled supporters in memory of her son. “From the moment you were born my life was complete and you had such an incredibly full life,” Carol wrote in the programme. “You died doing a job that you absolutely loved. You are my hero. “You said that when you came from your first tour of duty that you wanted a big, happy homecoming event, and here we all are. All the people that touched you and were part of your life as you were part of theirs. So this is a testament to you my darling, my everything, my boy, Tom.” Sgt Craig Backhouse, manager of Coldstream Guards FC, made a presentation to Carol before he received the Garry Beadle Memorial Trophy, named after the former Jets player who died in 2019, in recognition of the Guards’ involvement in the fixture. Sgt Backhouse said: “Civilian and military engagement can be difficult sometimes. It’s got to go through a lot of signatures to get approval and checks etc, so when we do get the approval and these things go ahead it just adds more gravity to the situation and just makes it all that more special. “John’s (Jets general manager John Elliott) been constantly on at me, we’ve both been to and fro with messages, just expressing how excited we were. We’ve both been like kids at Christmas and to see it all pulled off on the day, it was well worth every moment of it. Scoreline aside, I loved it.” Sgt Backhouse said he hoped it had been “a really lovely occasion” for Pte Lake’s mother. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice and that’s why we’re here today, playing that match.” The occasion also had added significance for Jets manager Kevin Christou because he used to serve in the Grenadier Guards. He said: “I’ve never seen something like this. We heard about this day when we first came in, John told us what it was like and said you won’t have seen anything like it before. “We thought we had an idea of what it would be like and it was nothing like it. It was an unreal day.” Asked if he would like to be involved in the fixture again next year, Sgt Backhouse responded: “Without a shadow of a doubt and the guys will jump at it as well. I think a percentage of it will be they want to get a result next time, but they’ll do it as well just for the kindred spirit of it all.”
On This Day—23rd November 2013 We made the short trip over the county border to Beds and came away empty handed after going down 2-0 to 5th placed AFC Dunstable. Creasey Park has not been a happy hunting ground for us over the years, we have now failed to win there is 12 visits, and after conceding a goal within 73 seconds of kick off, when BJ Christie headed home a corner at the near post, we feared the worse.
After that initial early shock we settled down well and there was little to choose between the sides. Jack Sunderland made some quick runs down the right early on and AFC looked sharp in attack, but there were few chances created and neither keeper got their knees dirty. Mid way through the half Vinnie Iannone and Graham Hall produced some lovely link up play to slice through the home defence but Vinnie's curling shot was kept out by a superb flying save from home keeper Ryan Darby. AFC responded through their leading scorer BJ Christie whose penetrating run set up Marcus Campbell but Mike Underwood did very well to save the shot with his feet. With the interval looming we suffered a further set back when Jack Seaton was sent off for a foul on Christie and we had to play the whole of the second half with 10 players. The foul probably warranted a red card but it has to be said that the AFC centre forward got away with a lot of verbal aggression and dubious challenges. One tackle on Michael Green was late and as a result he needed quite a lot of treatment on his ankle from Kim. There were others as well and amazingly Christie escaped punishment, although 5 of his colleagues did get yellow cards. This laxity shown by the officials probably didn't help calm the situation down. In addition it was not a good for football to see every player in the AFC side, including the keeper and with the Manager joining in from the touch line, haranguing the Referee and putting pressure on him to send Jack off. But no matter how unacceptable this tactic is it did work. Being a goal down and a man short the prospects for the second half looked a bit daunting but full marks to the players who responded superbly to keep the game alive until the final few minutes. Despite the odds being stacked against us we enjoyed a lot of possession and played some nice football. A wag in the crowd suggested that we played better with 10 players than 11 which was a complement to the response from the players. Also at times we didn't look like a side that was a man down.
AFC Dunstable 2-0 TAFC Vinnie Iannone headed a Graham Hall free kick well wide but chances were at a premium for both sides. Chris Vardy came off the bench just past the hour and livened things up and almost set up an equaliser. Sam Joliffe (or should we say Jol-liffy!) went on a good run and slipped a nice pass to Chris Vardy down the left. Chris beat the defender and although his cross picked out Vinnie Iannone he could only stab the ball at the keeper. Later Chris Vardy worked his way into the AFC area but he was unable to find a colleague with his pass and a great opportunity was lost. With five minutes to go we failed to clear a high ball which fell to BJ Christie, who is being chased by Luton Town, and he grabbed his second of the match to douse any hopes we had of getting anything out of the game. After a disastrous start and having to play with a depleted side for 45 minutes we did very well to compete on equal terms and keep the outcome open until the last 5 minutes. It is also the first time this season that we have failed to score in a league game.
AFCD: 1 Ryan Darby 2 Anthony Leslie (Ryan Quinn 78) 3 James Baldry (Capt) 4 Jack Lauder (George Higley 33) 5 Danny Ryan 6 Craig Butler 7 Wayne Mills (Connor Smith 70) 8 James Bishop 9 BJ Christie 10 Dale Turney 11 Marcus Campbell. Subs not used: Jonathan Barnett, Chris Francis. TA: 1 Mike Underwood 2 David Salmon 3 Stuart Stedman (Martin Skinner 86) 4 Chris Salmon 5 Jack Seaton 6 Michael Green 7 Jack Sunderland (Ryan Sturges 76) 8 Sam Joliffe 9 Vinnie Iannone 10 Graham Hall (Capt) 11 George Tomlin (Chris Vardy 61). Sub not used: Matt Myatt.
TAFC Reserves TAFC 0-0 Old Parmitarians—Match abandoned Click on the image below to see brief match highlights
Our reserves are sponsored by NP Electrics
Sponsored by NP Electrics Herts Senior County League - Division One POS
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1 Hertford Heath First
13
12
1
0
35
37
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
14 12 13 12 14 12 13 12 15 13 10 12 12 11 0
11 11 8 6 6 5 5 3 3 3 3 2 2 0 0
1 0 2 3 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 2 1 2 0
2 1 3 3 5 5 7 5 9 8 6 8 9 9 0
28 28 20 6 4 -11 -7 -9 -11 -18 4 -19 -8 -42 0
34 33 26 21 21 17 16 13 12 11 10 8 7 2 0
Results
Hinton First Oracle Components First Buntingford Town First Harpenden Town Reserves Hertford United FC First Aldenham FC First Evergreen First Bovingdon Reserves Tring Athletic Reserves Knebworth First Standon & Puckeridge FC None Oxhey First Hatfield United First Old Parmiterians First Wheathampstead Wanderers First Sat 6th November
Oxhey 0-3 TAFC
Sat 13th November Hatfield United 3-1 TAFC Sat 20th November TAFC A-A Old Parmitarians
Next up
Sat 27th November Evergreen (A) 2pm KO Sat 4th December
Old Parmiterians (A) 2pm KO
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U18s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U18s Blue POS
P
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GD
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1 Ware FC Academy U18 EJA
6
5
0
1
8
15
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
7 6 7 4 5 8 5
5 3 3 3 2 1 0
0 1 1 0 0 1 1
2 2 3 1 3 6 4
13 6 2 8 -4 -21 -12
15 10 10 9 6 4 1
Results
Next up
St Albans City FC Academy U18 London Lions U18 EJA BSC FC Youth U18 EJA London Colney Youth U18 EJA Leighton Town Youth U18 Baldock Town U18 EJA Tring Athletic U18 EJA
Sun 7th November
TAFC 1-4 London Colney
League
Sun 14th November
Billericay Town 4-0 TAFC
Cup
Sun 28th November
London Lions (H) KO10am
League
Sun 5th December
Borehamwood (H) KO TBC
Cup
Sun 12th December
St Albans City (A)
League
U16s Eastern Junior Alliance League - U16 Green POS
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1 Ryan (Youth) U16 Red EJA
8
6
1
1
15
19
2 Enfield Borough (Youth) U16 Leopards 3 Cockfosters (Youth) U16
6
4
2
0
19
14
9
4
2
3
12
14
4 Hemel Hempstead Town Youth U16 Blacks 5 Edgware Town U16
6
4
0
2
10
12
8
3
1
4
0
10
6 Berkhamsted FC Youth U16 EJA
7
2
2
3
-4
8
7 Tring Athletic U16 EJA
6
2
1
3
0
7
8 London Colney Youth U16 EJA
8
2
1
5
5
7
9 Hadley Youth U16 EJA
6
0
0
6
-57
0
Results
Next up
Sun 21st November
TAFC 0-1 Cockfosters
League
Sun 24th October
Ryan Youth 4-0 TAFC
League
Sun 28th November
Ryan Youth (A)
Cup
Sun 5th December
Edgware Town (A)
League
Sun 19th December
Waltham Cross (A)
Cup
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