Six goal thriller as Fledglings draw away at Tring

Tring 3s 3 – 3 Leighton Buzzard Fledglings

The Fledglings traded six goals with Tring 3s in an exciting end to end match which Leighton might have won if the run of the ball had just been a bit kinder.

Leighton started well, winning their first short corner inside five minutes. Josh Farnfield’s strike was well saved but quick thinking Tom Billington followed up and laid the ball off for Peter Gale, who lifted the ball over the keeper and into the goal. The advantage did not last long though as back came Tring who equalised with a diving shot within moments of the restart.

The Fledglings are starting to develop a fast and slick passing style of hockey and this was typified in their second goal. Strong tackling in defence, was followed up by a rapid passing move through the midfield and out to the wide right were Tom Handley crossed into the “D”. It was perfect for Peter Gale whose own diving shot was thumped at goal and through the keeper and defenders, for Leighton to regain the lead.

Further good work by the midfield and forward Joshua Gale, led to Leighton’s next short corner. This time Peter Gale laid the ball back for Billington and his pass was met by Joshua Gale’s deft flick which saw the ball hit a Tring post before being scrambled away. However, it wasn’t long before the Fledglings increased their lead. Josh Farnfield and Kane Sanders exchanged passes before setting Tom Handley on another driving run. Handley’s pass to Peter Gale was controlled on the edge of “D” before Gale shot on the turn, across the keeper and in at the far post, for Gale to complete a first-half hat-trick.

Back came Tring. Moving the ball quickly they broke and created space in the Leighton “D” before firing home to make it 3-2 at the break. The second half had only just started when Sanders was side-lined with a hamstring injury. Playing with only ten, Joshua Gale dropped into left midfield and the Fledglings upped their game and effort. David Thompson, Terry Cavender and Jordan Field in particular put in fantastic efforts for the team. Tring sensed an opportunity and with five minutes to go they found a way past keeper David Jackson. It was cruel luck on the Leighton stopper who once again had an outstanding performance in the Fledglings goal.

The Fledglings were not done. Everyone stepped up and it was Leighton who had Tring pinned in their own half winning a succession of short corners. With the final whistle gone Leighton brought everyone up for a short. Intelligently Farnfield slipped the ball to John Field who struck the ball sweetly only to see the ball hit the post and go the wrong side of goal. It was the last action in a great game of hockey.

Final score: 3 - 3 (Draw)
Player of the match: Peter Gale