| OPPOSITION | Rickmansworth 3rd XI |
| VENUE | Away |
| DATE | 04-11-2006 |
| RESULT | Won 5-3 |
See the Welwyn & Hatfield Times article.
With a full squad of players available for the first time this season, Potters Bar travelled to a struggling Rickmansworth team to try to record their first victory in over a month. Potters Bar started strongly with captain Paul Brady making some good runs in midfield and Bar's two pacey wingers Chris Wood and Andy Stokes causing the Rickmansworth defense some problems.
It was a ball from Stokes into the Rickmansworth circle that created the first goal for Potters Bar, Andy Latham finishing from close range. However it was Rickmansworth who struck back not long after. From their first short corner they drew the Bar defenders to the ball before switching it to an unmarked player on the right of the D. He was given all the time he needed to shoot past a rooted keeper to even the score.
The momentum started to turn towards Rickmansworth as they exploited gaps left by Bar players over committing to the attack. They scored the goal of the game with a pass from outside the 25 yard line into space in the Bar D. The Rickmansworth attacker just beat the Bar defender and goalkeeper to the ball and expertly turned the ball into the goal.
During the half-time break, Bar were relieved to see two of their players arrive, who had mistaken the match's start time. With a strengthened defense, Bar were able to push forward in the second half and apply pressure to the Rickmansworth goal.
About ten minutes into the half, Bar won a short corner. Andy Latham's shot was going wide until Andy Stokes stuck out his stick and deflected the ball over the diving goal keeper and into the net. With the scores now level at 2-2 Bar won another short corner. From the injection, Andy Latham struck his shot past the keeper and this time it was on target to put Bar 3-2 ahead.
Straight from the restart, Rickmansworth forged up field. For the second week in a row a defensive error gifted the opposition a goal. A weak clearance went straight to a Rickmansworth attacker who, faced with an open goal, scored his second and Rickmansworth's third goal of the game.
Bar came fighting back and from a melee the ball fell to Adam Pigden who scored his first goal of the season from two yards out. With time ticking away and Potters Bar looking to finish off the opposition Ed Newberry received a short corner. His shot hit the far post and Latham, following up, finished well to complete his hat trick. The final whistle blew moments later with Bar winning 5-3.
This Saturday Bar face local rivals Welwyn Garden City 3rd XI. The match will start at 2.30pm at Dame Alice Owen's and spectators are welcome.
Comments:
How comes I was able to score even though I wasn't in the side? (Adam)
Team:
David Smith, Andy Bye, Rob Donoghue, David Brandon, Andy Stokes, Chris Edwards, Ed Newberry, Danny Becker
David Fennell, Paul Brady, Chris Wood, Owen Hughes, Andy Latham, Spencer Randon, Richard Atkins
Umpire: Alan Field
Goal scorers:
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| Andy Latham | Andy Stokes | Andy Latham | Adam Pigden | Andy Latham |