Biggleswade United on the march as Tring tumble to defeat

Tring Athletic slipped to a 3-1 defeat against in-form Biggleswade United in their midweek SSML Premier Division fixture at The Grass Roots Stadium.
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The opening 10 minutes were very even, but with 12 minutes on the clock United had three good chances to take the lead.

Charlie Joy, Nick Elliott and Mohammed Hashem all tried their luck from distance during a 10-minute spell of sustained pressure and excellent build up play through the middle of the park, but the final strike was wide of the mark each time.

The breakthrough came in the 19th minute and it was the newly formed combination of Joy and Kane Farrell on the left flank that brought about the goal of the night.

Collecting the ball in the middle of the park, Joy spotted Farrell on the overlap and played through a perfectly weighted pass that had the Tring back-line at full stretch.

Farrell took one step before smashing a left footed curling strike past Tring keeper Matt Evans for his third goal in three matches.

Tring came back at their visitors and were denied an equaliser in the 23rd minute when Wyant made two stunning saves to deny Lee Stobbs and Ben Seaton.

The woodwork also came to United’s rescue in the 27th minute and defender Lee Bilcock scrambled away another attempt from Stobbs.

The Tring flurry was soon snuffled out in the 32nd minute when Hashem played the ball into Scott Batchelor and, as he attempted to turn in the box, a Tring defender sent him tumbling.

The teenager picked himself up and confidently tucked away the penalty to make it 2-0 to United.

The second period saw the hosts come out strongly and clearly the words of wisdom from their coaching staff had the players intent on breaking up United’s passing game.

Pressing forward, they were rewarded with a goal on the hour mark. A move down the right flank saw Stobbs send over a perfect cross to Seaton who was able to head home and reduce the deficit.

United responded well and Joy was unlucky not to claim an assist when he sent over a tantalising cross that was cut out by Tring skipper Dan Steadman before it could reach Tom Cookman.

With 10 minutes left on the clock and, somewhat against the run of play, United extended their lead.

A high cross from Elliott found Cookman at the far post and the United striker outjumped defender and keeper to head home his 13th goal of the season and secure United the three points.