Athletic young guns slip up against a new-look Colney Heath outfit

Admittedly both Colney’s goals had a touch of good fortune about them, but they were confident enough to take advantage of these presentable opportunities.

The visitors started powerfully, testing the home defence with some bright attacking play, but Athletic bounced back with Kieran Turner and Taylor Collins both going close.

The home side were starting to enjoy more of the play but they were rocked in the 24th minute when Charlie Jones was found by a scuffed shot and he calmly slotted home into the corner for 1-0.

Stung into action, Turner twice tested the keeper and Collins was played into a promising position but he was unable to get enough power behind his shot.

With five minutes to go to the interval, Athletic were dealt another blow when Troy Archer doubled Colney’s lead, again taking advantage of a mishit shot.

Athletic made a change at the start of the second period, bringing on forward Chris Blunden for midfielder Ryan McMahon, and the new signing obliged by scoring on his debut on the hour mark to bring the home side right back in the game.

The goal had been coming after Athletic had been on the offensive straight from the restart.

With 30 minutes still to go, Tring went in search of some reward and Sam Joliffe, Collins and Chris Blunden all had scoring opportunities, but the visitors’ defence held out to claim three valuable points.