Tring boss: "We can't afford to lose another game"
Phil Casserley says his side have to stay unbeaten for the rest of the season if they are to be in with a chance of winning league.
Tring Athletic, one time favourites for the MSSML Premier Division title, look to get their championship challenge back on track at Haringey Borough on Tuesday after a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Dunstable on Saturday.
Their boss was adamant they needed to begin a winning run to be in with a chance of bringing a trophy to Cow Lane this season.
They have 11 games to go.
"At the moment we probably can't afford to lose another game" he said.
"We have got to look to win all 11 or win 10 and drawing one.
"But you never know. Results have been bizarre this season with everyone beating each other.
"We are not giving up. We are playing well we just need a few breaks here and there."
All his men were lacking on Saturday was the finishing touch.
And when they found it home keeper Paul Taylor was there to deny them.
Dunstable's route-one tactics paid off as a stunning late volley from sub Aaron Flood gave them all the points in a game Athletic dominated.
Chris Salmon and Darren Franklin spurned early chances while a penalty shout for a challenge on Salmon fell on deaf ears.
Franklin missed the chance of the game when he opted for precision rather than pace from eight yards, a decision for which Taylor was grateful.
It was truly Taylor's day as he denied a host of shots from the red-shirted Athletic players during the second 45, before Flood did the damage with five minutes to go.
His speculative effort from 30 yards flew over Mike Underwood and into the top corner to put a massive dent in Tring's title hopes.
It was the third time Casserley's men have been beaten by Dunstable this season.
"It's been a while since I've been involved in such an incredible game of football" Casserley added.
"I would rather have been beaten 4-0 and been outplayed than to play so well and lose.
"We totally and utterly dominated them. It's a really hard one to take."
It's a really hard one to take."
After last night's game comes a home tie with St Margaretsbury on Saturday.
To see how Tring got on go to www.tringtoday.co.uk.
IT WAS much the same story for rivals Leverstock Green who found themselves on the losing end of the same scoreline.
Missing no fewer than five first-teamers, Steve Heath's men dominated their game with Broxbourne but were 1-0 at home.
With Carl Tasker absent, reserve team stopper Matt Hooker stepped up to the plate and conceded in the 35th minute to leave Green in sixth, but having played at least three games more than teams in the chasing back.
"We absolutely dominated and I couldn't fault the players" he said.
"We played some good football at times we just lacked that bit of a cutting edge when we needed it."
Richard Harvey had the home side's first chance minutes before the game's only goal but he was off target.
Mark Brennan showed them how to do it as he fought through several challenges before lifting the ball over Hooker.
A rejuvinated Levy XI posed much more of a threat in the second half but could not find an equalising goal.
Matt Wardle and Adam Reid were both inches away from converting the same Simon Conway cross while keeper Obey Murefu denied Reid and Wardle again as Levy continued their search for a leveller in vain.
Heath is hopeful his men can grab wins at Hatfield Town tonight and Colney Heath on Saturday.
Tring's rivals Leverstock Green in action, above, and Phil Casserley, above right.
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Weather for Tring
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
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