OPPOSITION	Southgate 2nd XI
VENUE	Away
DATE	02-02-2008
RESULT	Won 9-0

Potters Bar stay top of the table after big win against Southgate

Hat-tricks for Latham and Ensor in 9 goal display

With a number of first team regulars away or injured, Potters Bar, sponsored by Brad-Chem, had a different line-out from usual as they took on Southgate Adelaide away last Saturday. David Smith and Chris Edwards both played their first matches for the first team this season and both acquitted themselves well in this NE14 Hockey division 6SW fixture.

The game started with some good exchanges of passes by both teams and a few Southgate run-aways giving the Bar defence a scare. But 10 minutes into the game, when a free hit just outside the D was struck firmly into the goal mouth, David ‘Queenie’ Ensor diverted the ball high into the Southgate net for Potters Bar’s opener and the game then settled into its rhythm.

Shortly afterwards, another free hit was well-taken by Tony Sayers from a similar position. This time, it was center-forward Andy Latham who diverted the ball into the bottom corner of the Southgate goal.

The two goals in quick succession forced Southgate to go on the offensive and they soon left a lot of space in their defence which Bar exploited well, creating a number of good scoring opportunities. Good runs down the wings from midfield were well-converted by Mark Turpin and Andy Latham, taking Potters Bar into half-time 4-0 ahead.

Straight after the interval, a quick move straight from the push-back brought the ball to Mark Turpin to the edge of the Southgate D. His pass put Andy Latham through on goal and he did not miss, completing his hat-trick. 5 minutes later, Latham repaid the complement by squaring from the by-line to Turpin in front of goal, who converted to take the score to 6-0.

As the second half progressed, the Southgate defence became increasingly ragged and Potters Bar were able to make good use of the open spaces that were being left, especially on the wings. Man-of-the-match David Ensor was particularly effective down the right wing, creating chances for others, and netting two further goals of his own. The pick of Ensor’s goals came at the end of a long run from half way into the Southgate half and a fine dribble around the defender.

With 5 minutes to go, Ed Newbery completed the 9-0 scoreline with a good finish at the end of a fluid move down the central attack.

Next week, Potters Bar face a tough challenge as they play league chasers West Herts away in a “six pointer”.

See the Welwyn & Hatfield Times article.

Team:

David Smith, Rob Donoghue, Jon Yates, Chris Wood, Mark Turpin, Paul Brady,
Ed Newbery, Chris Chittleborough, Andy Latham, Tony Sayers, David Ensor, Chris Edwards

Umpire: Alan Field

Goal scorers:

David Ensor	Andy Latham	Mark Turpin	Andy Latham	Andy Latham	Mark Turpin	David Ensor	David Ensor	Ed Newbery