CARBS BRACE SEES US THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND OF THE ST MARY'S CUP
(Report By Tony Deer)

Tring Athletic edged out Tring Corinthians in a tense St Mary's Cup clash under the lights at the Michael Anthony Stadium. Despite a foggy finish, the match provided plenty of drama as Athletic claimed a 2-1 victory.

The game started with Corinthians kicking off, but it was Athletic who dominated possession in the opening stages, though their attack struggled to convert opportunities. Corinthians' first attempt came in the 15th minute, with a speculative 30-yard effort from their midfielder sailing harmlessly over the bar. Athletic responded three minutes later with a similar attempt from Bailey after a promising build up, but his shot also flew high and wide.

Athletic continued to press, and in the 19th minute, a dangerous cross from the right found Noah unmarked in the box, but his header lacked precision and sailed over the bar. Corinthians nearly capitalized on a defensive error in the 24th minute when a misplaced pass gifted their striker a chance, but his lob drifted just wide of the left post. Four minutes later, Shep drove forward from the centre of the pitch but could only fire high over the bar.

The first half ended with Athletic creating another chance in the 31st minute. Kieron’s cross found Noah again, but he couldn’t generate enough power on his header to trouble the Corinthians goalkeeper. After four minutes of added time, the half ended goalless.

Athletic made a halftime substitution, with Frankie replacing Noah, and the change brought immediate energy. Frankie had a shot leading to a sequence of efforts early in the second half, forcing three saves from the Corinthians goalkeeper in quick succession to deny what seemed like a certain opener.

The breakthrough finally came in the 55th minute. Athletic won a free kick on the right side, which Frankie whipped into the box, George Carbery got on the end of it and guided the ball into the net, giving Athletic a deserved 1-0 lead.

However, Corinthians hit back just 11 minutes later. Awarded a free kick on the left-hand side, their midfielder delivered a floated ball into the far corner that eluded everyone, including the Athletic goalkeeper, to level the game at 1-1.

The decisive moment came in the 79th minute. Athletic earned a penalty after persistent pressure in the box, and Carbs stepped up confidently. He slotted the spot kick into the bottom left-hand corner, restoring Athletic's lead at 2-1.

As fog descended late on, Corinthians pushed for an equaliser. In the 89th minute, a shot from the left hit the post then the goalkeeper, the rebound fell to Benji, whose close-range strike was superbly saved by the Corinthians goalkeeper.

Despite three minutes of added time, Athletic held firm to secure their spot in the next round of the St Mary’s Cup. A strong defensive performance, combined with Carbs' clinical finishing, ensured a hard-fought victory for Tring Athletic.

Man of the match award went to 2 goal hero George Carbery, into the next round we go!

Teams
Tring Athletic: J. Ameganye, H. Cornick, N. Butler, H.Beaumont, H. Jones, J. Sales, G.Carbery (Capt), K. Turner, M. Clarke, B. Osborne, H. Shepherd, subs: M. Hercules, J. Harvey, B. Kekembo, F. Hercules, D. Fitzpatrick
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Tring Corinthians: M. Chalmers, H. Latchford, C. Taylor, M Adeyemi, C. Resch, K. Konate, D. O'Donnell(c), S. Diboussi, R. Akano, H. Robertson, J. Audic, subs: L. Murphy, C. Ross, K. Hedges, J. Wilson, R. Lambert

GOALS

TA: George Carbery (55, Pen 79)

TC: (66)

Crowd: 133