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The sun was
shining as we assembled for the start of the match. The usual latecomers
put in their characteristic 'just in time' appearance and by the start
we had a reasonably strong line-up. Without Paul Brady and Chris Wood,
we knew we would have to work hard so it was even more pleasing to see
Danny turn up, having left his sick bed for the occasion. As we started
Spencer mentioned that he too was sick. Not a good start.
Potters Bar were however, dominant from the start. It must be said that
Potters Bar looked tired for much of the game with very little enthusiasm
for chasing the ball. That said, the ball was rarely out of Southgate's
half and the defence had very little to do. The first goal came from a
short corner and was strongly struck by Andy Latham hitting the backboard
with a loud crack.
The domination continued during the first half and the run of play was
sufficient for Andy Latham to take a well earned break on the sideline.
Adam Pigden showed he was up to his striking best with a couple of well
taken goals from open play, the second on the rebound.
As the second half started, Potters Bar were in confident mood. Southgate
had altered the structure of their side and placed some bigger players
up front hoping to push their way through. Southgate earned a short corner
early in the half. Very quickly after the push out, their striker hit
a chest high shot past the defence and into the goal.
By this time Cliff Hawkins's hamstring injury was starting to give him
trouble again and he gave up his central defence position to Adam Reader
which allowed Danny Becker to come back on in midfield. The change did
not however alter the course of the game and there were no further goals
from either side in spite of repeated attempts from the Potters Bar attack.
A confident performance from Andy Bye on his first outing as Captain.
Team: Alan Field, Cliff Hawkins, Terry Mabbett, Spencer
Hunt, Adam Reader, Andy Bye, Danny Becker, Liam Frame, Toby Seaman, Chris
Edwards, Andy Latham, Owen Hughes, Adam Pigden
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