Athletic showing signs of promise in opening two pre-season friendlies

Last Tuesday, Athletic lost 4-1 at home to Hendon who finished as runners-up in the Isthmian Premier Division last season.

Tring were a match for their high-flying visitors until the 70th minute when the score was locked at 1-1.

However, Hendon added three goals in the last quarter of the game when a combination of their class and Tring’s changes saw the visitors claim the win.

Athletic’s goal was scored from the penalty spot by 17-year-old Ben Seaton who set up the opportunity with a fine pass into the area to another youngster, Callum Gregory, who was fouled.

The club’s second friendly was on Friday when they entertained Royston Town who finished as runners-up in the Southern League last season.

Tring took the lead in the first half with a Ryan Sturges header following some neat play by Kieran Turner and Chris Vardy.

The hosts were well worth their lead at the break as Royston created very little during the first half.

However, the visitors came out for the second half with all guns blazing and they equalised within six minutes of the restart with a finely struck shot from Chris Watters.

Tring were under the cosh and Matt Evans made some good saves in goal, but Julian Robinson’s side weathered the storm and then struck again nine minutes from time when Turner and Vardy carved open the Royston defence to set up Stewart King to smash home the winner from close range.