OPPOSITION	Southgate Adelaide 2nd XI
VENUE	Home
DATE	13-10-2007
RESULT	Won 6-1

Potters Bar continue their strong start to the season despite losing their way in the second half. A hat-trick from Andy Latham helps see off a strong Southgate Adelaide side.

Bar expected a tough challenge in their NE14HOCKEY East League Division Six South West match against Southgate Adelaide 2nd XI, having fought two close encounters with the team the previous season. However, Bar's confidence was sky high following two big wins and they started well, pushing Southgate back deep into their own half.

In the first ten minutes, Bar missed a number of chances. New find Carlo Tosello, having impressed in training, was inserted straight into the Bar 1st XI. When Southgate attacked, Tosello made a number of outstanding challenges, showing no nerves in his first game for the club.

Inevitably the first goal was scored by Potters Bar. A move down the right involving Rob Donoghue and Mark Turpin ended with Ed Newbery pulling the ball back to Andy Latham waiting at the penalty spot, who swept the ball home.

Goals then came in quick succession as Tupin's clever reverse ball to Latham at the top of the D and a turn and blind shot from Latham flew in, just inside the post.

Tupin also scored himself before Newbery drilled home a penalty corner to make the score 4-0. Adelaide had a number of short corners of their own approaching half-time, but couldn't find a way through keeper Jonny Weller.

As the second half started, Bar's policy of using substitutes liberally and switching positions around to accommodate these oncoming players backfired as they lost their shape. Adelaide penetrated deep into Bar's half at will and Bar were struggling to gain possession of the ball.

Southgate then scored as a penalty flick was awarded for a push on their centre forward. The flick was well taken and Southgate were on the verge of coming back into the match.

Bar then brought back their defensive midfielders, Paul Brady and Owen Hughes, from the subs bench and worked their way back into the game. As a Southgate move broke up, Chris Wood received the ball on Bar's 25 yard line. With Southgate committed to the attack, Wood was able to run into the opposing circle and lay the ball off to Latham, who scrabbled the ball home at the second attempt from the floor.

Bar then polished off the win with a well struck shot from Andy Stokes, who middled the ball into the side netting from the top of the circle.

Bar now look forward to a top-of-the-table clash with West Herts 4th XI, starting at 1.30pm, on Dame Alice Owen's School astroturf, Saturday 20th October.

Team:

Jonny Weller, Jon Yates, Rob Donoghue, Carlo Tosello, Paul Brady, Owen Hughes, Andy Stokes
Ed Newbery, Chris Wood, Mark Turpin, Andy Latham, Roy Hill, Dave Ensor, Phil Gregory

Alan Field

Goal scorers:

Andy Latham	Andy Latham	Mark Turpin	Ed Newbery	Andy Latham	Andy Stokes