| OPPOSITION | Bishops Stortford 5th XI |
| VENUE | Away |
| DATE | 17-02-2007 |
| RESULT | Lost 7-2 |
Potters Bar faced their toughest match of the season on Saturday, visiting the high-flying division leaders Bishops Stortford. It was a clear day and an excellent pitch and Potters Bar began enjoying the occasion, starting strongly.
Before long Bishops Stortford were finding themselves under pressure, with Ed Newbury working well in a new position down the left and Andy Stokes using his explosive pace to good effect down the right. Despite some good counter attacks from Stortford, Bar had the better of the first half. Unfortunately, from one of these counter attacks, Stortford took the lead, the umpire judging an agricultural challenge by a Bar defender to be worthy of a penalty stroke to the home side. The stroke was well taken into the roof of the net, by a player the opposition rather interesting nicknamed 'Badger'.
Bar only won one short corner in the first half, but it was from this that they equalised. Newbery received the injection and slipped the ball to Adam Pigden on his right. Pigden shot at goal and his shot rebounded from the keeper to Stokes who flicked home.
It was Pigden who then gave Bar the lead, tackling a defender yards from goal and putting the ball through the keeper's legs. Bar went into the break leading a team who had only lost once all season.
Sadly, the second half was a different story. Once Stortford had equalised 10 minutes in, then went ahead 5 minutes later, the floodgates opened and some great passing through midfield was more than a match for Potters Bar's tiring legs.
Bar did win a few short corners as they pushed looking to get back into the game. From one of these, Newbery middled his shot, the ball deflecting up off a defender's stick and belting against the top of a post.
A special mention must go to defender Rob Donoghue, who despite being very dazed following a collision with one of his team mates, then proceeded to play his best hockey of the game.
As time expired Stortford scored their seventh, but the scoreline did not reflect that Bar had given the division leaders a real scare.
This week Bar have an easier fixture as they entertain bottom club Rickmansworth at 2.30pm at Dame Alice Owen's school.
Team:
Dave Smith, Rob Donoghue, Dan Andrews, Richard Atkins, Spencer Randon, Paul Brady,
Owen Hughes Andy Stokes, Ed Newbery, Andy Latham, Adam Pigden, Tony Sayers
Umpire: Chris Edwards
Goal scorers:
 |
 |
| Andy Stokes | Adam Pigden |