OPPOSITION	Stevenage 4th XI
VENUE	Home
DATE	26-01-2008
RESULT	Won 1-0

Sayers on target as Bar pull nine points clear with narrow win over Stevenage

At the beginning of the season Potters Bar had beaten Stevenage 4th XI 16-nil. It was clear from the start that there was to be no repeat of the rugby score this time round as a more experienced and competent squad turned out for the Stevenage side.

As play got underway, the first half was evenly balanced. Potters Bar had more of the attacking play, but Stevenage succeeded several times in getting to good shooting opportunities, mostly using long ball hits from the back. Potters Bar strikers and Andy Latham and Mark Turpin created some good chances in the opening exchanges, but they were either cleared off the line or just missed the post. Ten minutes before the break, another long ball from Stevenage found their centre forward at the edge of the Potters Bar D. Despite being pushed wide by defenders Andy and Tim Bye, he got a strong shot at goal which forced an excellent from keeper Johnny Weller diving low to save with his stick.

In the second half, Bar began to control the midfield and soon were creating more concrete scoring chances. Following an interception by Owen Hughes, Mark Turpin dribbled past his Stevenage marker and squared the ball to Andy Latham who got a strong shot at goal from the top of the D, only for it to be saved just inside the post. Potters Bar had numerous short corners during this period of play. Ed Newbury succeeded in getting a telling shot at goal at one of them, only for it to be saved just inside the post by the man on the line. The follow up from Chris Chittleborough was also well blocked.

After a long period of pressure, eventually the Potters Bar goal came mid-way through the second half. A neat move from the right wing brought the ball to Ed Newbury. He got to the by line and squared to Tony Sayers who calmly slotted it into the back of the net.

Several good Potters Bar chances followed, including a six pass move down the right wing via Dave Ensor, Paul Brady and Mark Turpin, which resulted in a shot for Andy Latham. Unfortunately, that narrowly missed the post. Potters Bar retained possession for most of the remainder of the match, but the score stayed at 1-nil. With their nearest rivals, West Herts, only managing a draw, Potters Bar now move 9 points clear at the top of Division 6 South West of the NE14 Hockey League.

Next Saturday they face Southgate Adelaide away.

Team:

Jonny Weller, Rob Donoghue, Andy Bye, Mark Turpin, Paul Brady, Ed Newbery,
Owen Hughes, Chris Chittleborough, Tim Bye, Andy Latham, Tony Sayers, David Ensor, Ed

Umpire: Alan Field

Goal scorers:

Tony Sayers