OPPOSITION	Luton Vagrants 1st XI
VENUE	Away
DATE	23-02-2008
RESULT	Won 3-1

Against a friendly Luton Vagrants side, Bar capitalised in the first half and won comfortably despite 'losing' the second half

After playing Luton Vagrants in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Bar were expecting a hard-hitting centre back to try and penetrate their midfield. Surprisingly this person was not to be seen and NE14HOCKEY East League Division Six South West leaders Potters Bar took advantage building some early pressure.

From a short corner Bar went ahead. Mark Turpin won the short corner but felt slightly aggrieved that it was given, after he had been through one-on-one with the keeper but advantage was not played. From the short corner, Ed Newbery's cross was diverted in at the far post by Andy Stokes.

With their tails up, Bar began to pay well and use the wings to good effect. Stokes was on the ball spraying his passes from left wing right across the pitch to right wing or right back, initiating attacks up the open right flank.

With their well-practised short corners coming to fruition and players playing well all over the park, Bar were in the ascendency. However, one move from Luton changed that. With Bar attacking, a counter attack from Luton found their centre forward unmarked and one-on-one with the keeper. He bore down on Bar keeper Dave Smith and everyone was expecting an equaliser. However, as he took the ball round Smith, he took it too wide and Jon Yates, doing well to get back, threw in a timely tackle to push the ball out of danger.

This gave Luton confidence and they raised their game, pushing Bar back for a long period. Bar were struggling to find an outlet from defence with the ball coming back at them time and again. Defender Tim Bye stood out for Bar, breaking up many a Luton move down their right wing.

When they did break the pressure, Bar soon got their second goal through the reliable source of Andy Latham. This was not one of his stock hard-hitting goals, instead a delicate deflection of a Chris Chittleborough cross from the left.

Before half time, got their third goal. Rob Donoghue won the ball under pressure from two Luton players. He passed to Turpin who beat a player, had a one-two with Latham and then slotted under the keeper for a fine goal.

In the second half, Luton moved their centre back into midfield and, as in the earlier game between these two sides, this paid dividends.

On one of a number of quick breaks upfield, Luton caused problems with many of Bar's players caught upfield. The former centre back blindly shot as he received a ball in the D. The shot went past keeper Smith for a goal to make the score 3-1.

Bar did well to then slow the game down and not let Luton mount a comeback. Chittleborough played particularly well and kept the ball in the corners to frustrate the Luton team.

Twice in the second half Bar had the ball in the Luton Vagrants' goal, but neither counted, one for two Bar players hitting the ball in the air, another when the whistle had already blown in Bar's favour.

From a short corner late on, Turpin hit the post but Bar were unusually kept out in the second half.

Next week Bar face 4th placed Berkhamsted for what could be a tough match. The game will take place at Bar's home ground of Dame Alice Owen's school with push back at 1.30pm.

Team:

Dave Smith, Rob Donoghue, Jon Yates, Tim Bye, Paul Brady, Owen Hughes,
Andy Stokes, Mark Turpin, Ed Newbery, Chris Chittleborough, Andy Latham, Roy Hill

Umpire: Alan Field

Goal scorers:

Andy Stokes	Andy Latham	Mark Turpin