Potters Bar 1st XI vs Blueharts 3rd XI
Saturday 13th February 2010

Potters Bar reacted like a wounded animal against Blueharts 3rd XI on Saturday 13th February after their narrow defeat against Hertford the previous week.

In the opening minutes of the match Bar started with a high intensity looking to make amends for a recent dip in form. After pressuring the Blueharts backline into making early errors it didn’t take Bar long to capitalise on this and carve out some goal scoring opportunities.

After breaking down a Blueharts attack Bar broke quickly with Ed Whybrow who, upon receiving the ball in his own half went on a darting run eventually slipping the ball to Mark Turpin in open space who unselfishly passed the ball across the goal line for Miles Tomkins to push the ball into an open goal.

1-0 !!

After the early setback, Blueharts started to press and close down PB with more urgency stringing together a few nice passes. There was no doubt the next goal would prove to be crucial and this came in the form of a penalty flick courtesy of Ed Whybrow finishing low to the keepers’ right after a Blueharts player looked to have hooked the ball out of his own net following a trademark Turpin run.

2-0 !!

Fuming with the (PF) decision Blueharts were becoming frustrated and losing their composure. Looking to put the game beyond reach a well worked short corner lead to a second penalty flick being awarded as the ball was struck against a defenders leg on the line. (No complaints of the flick being awarded this time). Once again Ed Whybrow stepped up and converted the flick in style low to the keepers’ left-hand side leaving him no chance.

3-0 !!

HALF TIME

After a rousing half-time team talk from the captain Bar were intent on keeping a clean sheet and retaining possession looking to make the opposition do all the chasing. A solid defensive display from Potters Bar saw them sustain some early pressure in the second half and allowed for play to build from the back. Stringing together some sharp one touch passes Bar looked full of confidence and this showed as everyone was looking to get on the ball and working well for one another off it.

The fourth goal would come off the back of a fast attack down the right wing as Charlie Irish linked up well with Dave Fennell who fed the ball into Turpin in the middle of the D. Receiving the ball on turn Turpin wrong-footed the defender and slung it into the bottom corner of the goal.

4-0 !!

Not content with sitting on the 4-0 score line, Bar went in search of a fifth and this came in strange circumstances. Ed Whybrow took a quick free hit inside the opposition half only to find that no one was looking to close him down. Running into open space Ed continued his run into the box and fired a low shot into the corner of the goal giving him his hat-trick and making it 5-0 to Bar.

5-0 !!

As full-time fast approached Bar continued to move the ball around at fast-past with much more accuracy than previous weeks. With the game ending 5-0 Bar can take great credit in an all round solid team performance that resulted in a much needed clean sheet to help boost confidence. Next week sees Potters Bar travel to Bishops Stortford for what will be a true test of character; let's just hope the result can be as morale boosting as this weeks’!!

Special mention must be made to Harry Chittleborough who upon making his debut for the 1XI put in a sterling effort and we look forward to welcoming him back to the team next week.

by Rob Donoghue