OPPOSITION	West Herts 5th XI
VENUE	Home
DATE	15-03-2008
RESULT	Won 12-1

Leaders Bar march on against a much-weakened West Herts team

Another 12 goals for NE14HOCKEY East League Division Six South West leaders Potters Bar took them past the hundred goals scored for the season and to the brink of the division title, since realistically they cannot now be caught.

The day did not start well for West Herts as a nominal 11 players first thing in the morning turned into 8 players by the time of push back, due to a number of drop outs. Borrowing a player they started the game with 9 men and against the division leaders, they were always up against it, even with Bar captain Paul Brady delayed until half-time and goalkeeper Jonny Weller out injured.

Bar dominated from the outset and it was surprising that it took about 15 minutes to break through. The ever-reliable Andy Latham was on the ball yards from goal to turn in a cross for Bar's 100th goal of the season.

Before long Mark Turpin scored his first of the afternoon and Tony Sayers hit a hard shot to make it 3.

Bar made it 5-0 before half-time, through Latham and Turpin again. They could even afford the luxury of moving players from their normal positions, in an attempt to share the goals and give defenders the experience of playing upfront.

With West Herts scrambling another couple of players from Bar's younger ranks, the 2nd half began with 11 versus 11 players. This however did not slow Bar down as they went on to score 7 goals in the second half courtesy of Latham twice, Turpin completing his hat-trick brilliantly with a long mazy run, Owen Hughes scoring twice in two minutes after being pushed forward to right-wing, Chris Chittleborough and then captain Paul Brady, who pulled off a fine pirouetting celebration to boot.

With the game well and truly lost, some of the West Herts younger players and Bar's young offerings to West Herts broke their shackles and started to give Bar's defense some troubles, culminating in a well-deserved consolation goal.

With two games to go after the Easter break, only a points deduction or disastrous turn around in goal difference can prevent Bar from capping a great season with the division title.

See the Welwyn & Hatfield Times article.

Team:

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

Umpire: Peter Simmons

Goal scorers: Andy Latham (4), Mark Turpin (3), Owen Hughes (2), Chris Chittleborough, Paul Brady, Tony Sayers