Park the bus!

Monday 10 October 2022

Double game day!!

Charlton Under 21 1 Ipswich Town Under 21 3

Professional Development League

Princes Park, Dartford

Ipswich started with a high press and dominated the opening exchanges, going ahead on 22 minutes but some sloppy play let Charlton back in the game on 27 minutes. Ipswich then got back on top and went back in the lead on 42 minutes. A very good first half display by Ipswich who dominated the game.

Second half was more even but also scrappier and as better players from both sides were subbed the game became quite poor, but Ipswich still added a third and till the end were still creating the better chances. 

Then a short relaxing drive west to:

Three Bridges Under 18 4 Tring Athletic Under 18 1

FA Youth Cup, 3rd Qualifying Round

Jubilee Field

Drove down a narrow lane and parked right by the pitch, did wonder how the visitors got their coach down the same lane- and quickly found out that the home officials were also surprised as no one had ever managed it before! 

Tring supporters were expecting a very hard game as they had heard Three Bridges were undefeated this season, however it was Tring who looked the better team in the first half. Game was played at a very frantic pace and neither team showed much control, the Ref booked a visiting player early on, slightly harsh but by the end of the game his name would be joined by numerous others in the book.

The first bit of class was shown by the home side who took the lead early on when the Tring keeper was beaten by a delightful chip. However, it was now Tring who were on top with their Number 2 and 9 impressing with their speed and skill and it was number 9 who got them back on terms from the penalty spot after a soft handball decision.

Half time and Tring on top - very different in the second half, Three Bridges must have had a good talking to as they came out, stuck to a game plan and scored twice in the first 11 minutes of the half whilst Tring had lost both their shape and discipline as a number of players were booked.

Only surprise in the end was that Tring finished with 11 players, with their number 9 luck to escape a second yellow in the last minute. Three Bridges added a 4th goal in injury time.

The coach!! The driver spent all the first half attempting to get out of the gate- failed!! So not sure if Tring ever got home!