OPPOSITION	Luton Town 3rd XI
VENUE	Away
DATE	19-01-2008
RESULT	Won 5-1

Bar slip back into winning ways after the Christmas break with a fluid performance on a wet day in Luton

On a wet Saturday afternoon, Potters Bar travelled to Luton Town for the first NE14HOCKEY East League Division Six South West match since the Christmas break. Bar almost got off to a perfect start as they immediately robbed the ball from Luton Town and drove upfield only for Andy Latham's shot to go wide in the first few seconds.

Latham then had another couple of chances as the first 10 minutes were dominated by Bar. However, it was when he ducked back to midfield to take a sideline hit that Bar broke though. Latham's quickly taken hit found Ed Newbery in acres of space with Latham's markers drawn out of position. Newbery drew the keeper and then slid the ball to Chris Chittleborough who knocked the ball in for his first goal for the 1st team.

After this great start, Luton Town found their feet. They showed skill in midfield but rarely threatened in the final third as time after time they jinxed past a couple of players, then they jinxed once too often and Bar's midfield was able to get back and surround them.

The greatest danger came from short corners, which one or two Luton players were adept at winning. However, despite the quick injection, Bar's defence was out quickly and captain Paul Brady blocked a number of initial shots at the top of the D.

In the second half, Bar had the same incredible start as in the first half, only this time they scored from it. Straight from the push-back Brady passed to Owen Hughes who passed to Mark Turpin. Despite an infringement by the defender when many players around him stopped expecting the umpire's whistle, Turpin didn't as advantage was played. His pass found Latham who shot home inside the near post.

Bar then enjoyed their best spell as Luton Town attempted to get back into the game. Newbery's aerial ball was going out of play until the Luton Town goalkeeper kicked it back upfield. Bar obtained the ball and with numbers over worked a simple tap-in for Latham.

Luton then exerted some pressure and forced keeper Jonny Weller into a couple of fine saves. Then, from a short corner, defender Tim Bye stuck out his stick at the last moment and expertly deflected a goal bound shot wide. Luton did get the goal they were after, coming from a hit just outside the top of the D. Three players were left together with inadequate marking and they played through the heart of the D and pushed the ball home.

With the score at 3-1, Bar didn't let up. Turpin got a goal himself as his usual persistent performance eventually paid off. He shot, running away from goal, across the keeper into the far corner.

Latham completed his hat-trick with a nutmeg through the keeper's legs and there was still time for Newbery to miss out from a good chance as he flicked the ball just past the top corner.

Team:

Jonny Weller, Jon Yates, Rob Donaghue, Tim Bye, Owen Hughes, Paul Brady
Chris Chittleborough, Mark Turpin, Tony Sayers, Andy Latham, Ed Newbery, Carlo Tosello

Umpire: Alan Field

Goal scorers:

Chris Chittleborough	Andy Latham	Andy Latham	Andy Latham	Mark Turpin