Potters Bar II 1 MBDA 1 (HT: 0-1)
Saturday 6th March 2010

Team: S Randon (Capt), J Page (GK), T Bye, D Blakey, D Becker, M Levy, F Waite, C Clements, D Ensor, A Stokes, T Sayers, A Latham, P Brady

Goalscorers: A Stokes (57)

Umpire: Pete Simmons

It was a very interesting team selection this week for the latest game at Dame Alice Owens. The side contained just 2 recognised defenders (3 if you counted the versatile Dave Blakey) with the skipper looking forward to a return to his favourite formation of 3 at the back, with a holding midfield player. He also expected it to be a fluid passing game among the leading goal scorers Andy Latham, Andy Stokes and Tony Sayers, resulting in lots of goals. Unfortunately very little went to plan in what was one of the most disjointed efforts seen this season.

MBDA were in determined mood given their perilous position at the bottom of the table, although this was not really shown by their late arriving 11th man who was so laid back on arriving almost 10 minutes late and then took so long to get ready that finally the umpires had had enough and started the game without him. It may also be interesting to know what MBDA’s official away sock colours are, as no fewer than 6 different colours were on show including purple, blue, brown and grey.

After a quiet first 10 minutes with little urgency from Bar a chance was finally created with Tony Sayers making space on the right hand side of the D and he was unlucky to see his fierce shot come back off the post. Just 3 minutes later and MBDA took a surprise lead following some neat play, although Jordan will be disappointed that the goal bound effort went beneath his kicker before finding the net.

The goal still failed to get Bar going. Too many times the key pas out wide was not found and when on the rare occasions where the one touch passing of previous weeks’ came into play the final ball was often awry or not controlled. Bar nearly equalised 5 minutes before half time, although it would have been a very fortunate effort as Chris Clements mishit effort came back off the post after the MBDA keeper completely missed the ball when attempting to kick it away.

Half time arrived and the skipper was quite entitled to use the hair dryer, telling the side to stop getting frustrated with the opponents and the umpiring and to get back to using the wings and playing the simple passes.

Still the second half saw little change – Bar generally having the better of territory and possession but with the key passes not finding their way. On 49 minutes it looked like the deadlock would be broken as a move down the left drew the keeper out of position but Freddie Waite’s effort went past the right hand upright. MBDA were showing their experience in creating a number of worrying moments at the back, although Dave Blakey in particular was doing an excellent job in keeping them at bay.

With 15 minutes remaining the skipper desperately called on Paul Brady to put in a fine cameo performance whilst Jessica Levy took over looking after the baby! Just 2 minutes after his appearance the equaliser finally arrived – a short corner was hit towards goal by Andy Latham for Andy Stokes to deflect the ball past the keeper.

Although Bar had the better of the remainder of the match they were unable to create any goal scoring opportunities despite a number of good passes into the danger area from Tony Sayers. It was perhaps typical of the team performance that when a short corner was awarded with time up, the side were unable to put together a shot on goal before the ball was cleared away.

A draw was probably a bad result for both sides but MBDA’s experienced effort fully deserved a share of the spoils given the below bar performance from the home side.

Anthony Levy