| OPPOSITION | Stevenage 3rd XI |
| VENUE | Away |
| DATE | 07-10-2006 |
| RESULT | Lost 5-0 |
Potters Bar welcomed back last season’s captain Chris Wood for Saturday’s game against top-of-the table Stevenage 3rd XI.
After a tight start to the game, Stevenage won themselves a short corner. Taking the corner from the unorthodox side of the pitch, they showed they were dangerous with a slick routine, to give Bar some early worries.
About 10 minutes into the match, Stevenage won another short corner and the Stevenage striker’s shot was too good for the Potters Bar keeper, Dave Smith, making the score 1-0.
Bar fought back and worked a couple of opportunities for their own striker, Andy Latham. However, on each occasion he was closed down early by the Stevenage defence and his shot was either blocked or he shot wide.
It was not long before Stevenage scored again. A dangerously lifted ball from Potters Bar gave Stevenage a free hit 25 yards from goal. The ball was hit with pace into the circle and an attacker who was unmarked diverted the ball high into the net.
Just before half-time, Bar were looking to get back into the game with a short corner of their own. However, this was broken up by the Stevenage defence who counter attacked. Breaking into the Bar half, Stevenage worked a 2 on 1 against the last Bar defender and easily scored to make the score 3-0 to Stevenage.
In the second period, Potters Bar changed their formation and for a while it looked to be working. However, it didn’t take too long for Stevenage to score again. This was another goal from a well-worked short corner routine.
Chris Wood and captain Paul Brady then combined well in the midfield to lead a number of attacks on the Stevenage goal. Makeshift striker Chris Edwards was also holding the ball up well. Andy Latham had a shot which caught the right hand post as it fizzed wide and Owen Hughes had a shot heading for the corner of the goal which was excellently saved by the diving Stevenage keeper.
As the game wore on, it looked like it was not Bar’s day. Just as Bar were thinking it would be a matter of when, rather than if, they were going to score, Stevenage surged up field and saw a shot hit a defender’s foot on the line. This gave them a penalty flick which was neatly taken to make the final score 5-0 to Stevenage.
This Saturday Potters Bar take on Berkhamsted, looking to get their season back on track. The match takes place at Dame Alice Owen’s school, starting at 2.30pm.
Team:
Dave Smith, Rob Donoghue, David Brandon, Ed Newberry, Chris Edwards, David Fennell, Andy Stokes,
Paul Brady (capt), Chris Wood, Owen Hughes, Adam Pigden, Andy Latham
Umpire: Alan Field
Goal scorers: