Tring Charity Tournament

Tring Walking Football Club invited us to an Over 50's and Over 60's Charity Tournament  in aid of the Greenfingers Charity. A charity who create specially designed, stimulating garden spaces that can bring many benefits to children with lif-threatning conditions. The event took place at Tring Sports Centre on Saturday 5th September with a 9.30am kick-off.  We cordially accepted the invite and submitted three teams. An Over 50's side and two Over 60's, although one of them the squad was nearer 70 than 60!

So here are the reports of the two Over 60's teams managed by Cliff Leat (White) and Mike Parkes (Green). 

Hemel White Over 60's:

In the continued absence of our manager who is now neck deep in Mythos the Over 60's Whitea, nominally the 'B' team participated in the Tring Charity Tournament at the Tring Sports Centre. This was always going to be a tricky morning playing without a recognised keeper or striker but we set out with high hopes. First up was Meriden with Andy Roads, formally of this parish in goal. this was a tight affair but we really should have beaten them.  John Cahillane in goal was largely untroubled and we made a few half chances but nothing clear cut. the final result was 0-0 and I gather that game was last up on Match of the Day later that day. Our next game was against ravens, dead ringers for Welwyn, who we have cone across in the Herts Over 60's League. They are a well organised team, clearly playing frequently together and deservedly won 2-0. We created a few chances with Andy Balshaw and Chris York coming close on occasions, but we could little about their two goals. Tring were next with the ever dependable Cliff Leat moving from defence to star goalkeeper. We pretty much dominated Tring but couldn't break the down and if not for some superb saves from Cliff in goal and a well judged 'leave' which hit the corssbar, we may have lost. 0-0 the final score. Special note about Dave marsh who went down injured claiming he was barged in the shoulder by the Tring 20 stone forward. Unfotunately none of us saw the incident and dave duly got the rest he was after in the next match.  mext game was Wendover, who had luckily beaten our Hemel Green team 1-0, so we knew this was gong to be tough. Another change in formation with Cliff now playing as star striker. How versatile is he?! We also had Nigel Walker in defence well supported by Alastair Greene who covered every blade os very starnge astroturf. Although Wendover were pretty good, this was our best performance. We made numerous clear cut chances, had a goal dubiously disallwed and took the lead with a minute to go when Andy cutley tricked the keeper and calmy slotted home. Unfortunately Wendover went straight up the pitch and equalised with seconds to go, strangelt cheered on by the ref! An excellent performance by everyone and we really should have won. 1-1 the final score.

our final game was the grudge match versus our other and younger Over 60's team - Hemel Greens. They knew there were in for a tough game so picked their strongest line up. Dave, now miraculously recovered from his shoulder injury came back in to the team and the marshalled the defence excellently. Despite the Whites dominating the opposition making numerous chances, the Greens came away tieh a comfortable 3-0 victory. The Whites played very well, but we gave them a good game and another day we may have even had a shot on target!

So a fun day out with 3 draws and 2 defeats. Considereing the age of our team we did very well and should have gained some more points. Nigel and Dave were immense in defence; Alastair was a hard working and tenacious as ever and Yorkie added spome quality passing and tackling. Andy was another who played excellently in a variety of positions and scored our only goal. Cliff, manager, captain, match reporter, kitman and all round great guy also did OK.

Finally, special mention and thanks to John for his willingness to help us our in goal and for his strong xcontribution on the pitch.

Hemel Green Over 60's:

The Tring Tournament provided the ideal warm up for next week's league games and Jim Holmes set us off in style with a club record five goals in a single 12 minute match as we cruised past Tring 7-0, with the other two goals coming from Mike Oakley and Michael Cocomazzi. It was a similar story in the second game with Jim scoring a hattrick and Mike grabbing another, as we beat Meridan 4-0. We weren't quite as sharp in the next two games, and in very tight affairs, unsarcastically sloppy play meant 1-0 defeats to both Mendover and Ravens. The final game saw the battle of the two Hemel Wednesday night training pitches, as our 60's played our 65's and a 3-0 win for the 'youth' was well deserved with goals once more for top striker Jim Holmes, Cocomazzi and Oakley.

Hemel Over 50's

As previously syayted this tournament was a warm-up for the forthcoming Middlesex WF League games, but with a skeleton team and no proper ref's, which proved difficult and very frustrating. Our first game was against Watford Wanderers and although we  had 10 shots on gola to their one it eneded a stalemate 0-0.  Tring were next up and a foul on Pete Cooper, which the ref amazingly awarded it to Tring, which they took quickly and scored a good goal. 1-0 the final score. Kings Langley were next up and agin a bad referring decision gave them a free kick just outside our box which they scored from and althouhg we rallied well it was too little too late. 2-1 the final score.  Our final game was gainst Walking Wanderers, an all ladied team made up in part by Watford Ladies, who are all in their 20's and 30's and a good team! We played were leading 1-0 up until the death. A shot from 20yds hit the back of one of our players and deflected into the far corner leaving Dave Bradbury in goal no chance.