Hat-trick hero Turner fires Tring to victory over Stotfold

Chris Vardy came close for Tring. Picture (c) Colin Sturges

The damage was done during the first half when Athletic punished their opponents’ defensive frailties to build up an unassailable five-goal lead, with rising young star Kieran Turner claiming his first hat-trick for the club.

After that the scoring inevitably tailed off and Stotfold salvaged some pride by lifting their performance to draw the second period 1-1.

The first goal came after only seven minutes when Turner lifted the ball over a square defence and Chris Vardy did well to hold off a challenge then acrobatically lob the ball over the keeper.

Four minutes later the roles were reversed - Vardy became the provider with a clever flick and Turner found the net with a fine finish from a tight angle.

Goal number three arrived in the 17th minute and came from a defensive howler when Vardy intercepted a poor pass, rounded the keeper and unselfishly played the ball across to Turner who finished smartly.

The Stotfold defence had clearly not learnt their lesson as three minutes later they again presented Vardy with ball following and resorted to pulling him down in the area for a penalty which Greg Deer calmly dispatched.

The fifth goal arrived in the 43rd minute when Vardy slipped the ball to midfield maestro Turner who had all the time in the world to slot home his third goal of the game and 15th of the season.

Kieran Turner scores the first of his hat-trick for Tring Athletic against Stotfold. Picture (c) Colin Sturges

The early signs after the restart were that nothing had changed as it took Athletic just seven minutes to extend their lead. Vardy helped on a free-kick from Adam Toone to Lee Stobbs, who whipped over a fine cross for Taylor Collins to convert.

The omens were not good for Stotfold but to their credit they struck back within a minute when Carl Albon nicely converted a cross from Adam Pennington.

There were further chances for both sides, but in the end Tring cruised home for the deserved victory.

It was a fine performance by Athletic and a welcome return to winning ways after some recent narrow defeats to sides at the top of the table.

The win moved Julian Robinson’s side up to ninth in the table and was timely boost for their tough local derby next Saturday when they visit Leverstock Green.

Tring Athletic: Hopwood, Sturges (Cullimore ), Stobbs, D Steadman, McManus, Toone, Deer (McMahon), Hogg, Vardy, Collins, Turner (Joliffe). Sub not used: S Stedman.