Bar back to winning ways but suffer injury to two-goal scorer Ed Newbery

Top-of-the-table Potters Bar comfortably beat 4th placed West Herts 5th XI in the NE14HOCKEY East League Division Six South West. However, after scoring twice, Ed Newbery suffered a recurrence of a knee injury and had to leave the field, forcing Bar to play the last 8 minutes with 10 men.

Potters Bar started confidently despite the previous week's disappointing first loss of the season. However, as the first half wore on and no goal to show for their efforts, there was the worry that this week would follow the course of the previous week.

Fortunately, Potters Bar found a way through. Tony Sayers executed a nice dummy and turn and his pass found Mark Turpin in the D. Turpin helped the ball on towards Andy Stokes who was first to the cross and his hit beat the goalkeeper to put Bar ahead.

Tony Sayers, enjoying the experience of a full game, looked dangerous on the right-wing. When he switched wings with Stokes, he was left unmarked at the far post. A cross from the right was bouncing and Tony did well to keep his eye on the ball and fire home.

Andy Latham was next to score. Another cross from the right found Andy in-between the two central defenders. Latham, who had moments earlier hit the ball high over the back fence attempting a shot, tried a more delicate finish. His soft glance chipped up but nestled just underneath the crossbar to give Bar a three goal cushion.

West Herts did have a spell of pressure mid way through the half and may have scored had Jon Yates not been in fine form. A couple of times he excelled in clearing goal-bound shots from extremely close range. West Herts' frustrations at being outplayed were summed up by a green warning card shown to midfielder David Murphy for jostling Newbery.

Before half-time, Bar got a fourth. A cross from Mark Turpin towards Newbery, bearing down on goal, deflected in. Turpin claimed it but it turned out Newbery had got a touch onto his marker's legs from which the ball was deflected in.

The second half also went the way of Bar. Ed Newbery got his second and Andy Latham, unknowingly blocking a goal-bound shot from team mate Stokes, turned and shot for his second of the game.

As the game neared its close, Newbery chased a ball towards the side line trying to keep it in. Sadly he locked and twisted his knee, aggravating an old injury, meaning he may miss next week's local derby with Welwyn. The game was stopped while he was treated and with no subs, Bar saw out the remaining 8 minutes with 10 men.

Next week Bar entertain local rivals Welwyn Garden City 3rd XI, who are currently in 5th place in the division. The game starts at 1.30pm at Dame Alice Owen's School, Potters Bar.

Team:

Jonny Weller, Rob Donghue, Jon Yates, Tim Bye, Owen Hughes, Paul Brady,
Andy Stokes, Mark Turpin, Tony Sayers, Ed Newbery, Andy Latham

Umpire: Alan Field

Goal scorers:

Andy Stokes	Tony Sayers	Andy Latham	Ed Newbery	Ed Newbery	Andy Latham