Potters Bar III 3 Royston V 0
Saturday 3rd October 2009

Team: S Walters (Capt), T Sayers (GK), D Blakemore, D Brandon, A Bye, D Ensor, J McCormick, A Seeney, M Levy, G Wickham, J Pearson, B Sayers, P Simmons, P Perinpanathan

Scorers: D Ensor (2), A Bye

Umpire: J Yates and E Strous

Much more like it this week weather wise as a nice cold wind gusted across the Dame Alice Owens Astro Pitch, leading to what looked like a sand storm in places, aided by the new pitch being laid next door. The game started a bit late thanks to overruns from the previous games as well as Tony Sayers and Dave Brandon having to swap goalkeepers kit. As it turned out Tony might just as well have been kitted out in shorts and t shirt for how often the ball was to come anywhere near him in the match!

Skipper Steve welcomed both old and new faces to the team for their seasonal debut’s and it was just as well that the team contained 14 players as a clearly hungover and ill looking James Pearson was to play less than 10 minutes of the game – only staying as the tea was in the boot of his car (possibly also the need to keep company with Alex Seeney’s lady friends)!

Bar started confidently and were soon in front but in controversial circumstances. James McCormick hit a high pass from the right hand side and, with Royston’s players stopping in expectation of an umpire’s whistle, Dave Ensor took advantage of the resulting space to fire home. Bar remained on top with Bradley Sayers hitting the post with 11 minutes on the clock. The constant pressure brought a deserved second. A short corner was played to Andy Bye who moved to one side, considered what to do whilst no challenge arrived, and then steered the ball past the keeper.

The second half of the opening half was rather scrappy, with Bar losing their rhythm and shape but with Royston having little to concern the solid defence which as usual was being well marshalled by the ever dependable Dave Blakemore, who this week was being given plenty of good support by Dave Brandon. Praveen Perinpanathan came on to replace Pete Simmons to make his debut and he looked pretty comfortable on the left hand side of defence.

Tony Sayers was forced into making the only save of the match following a short corner and also made one good interception. His most exciting moment however came at half time with the realisation that he was at last going to receive a half time orange – something the 2nd team don’t get the benefit of!

A revamp at half time led to the strengthening of the midfield with Andy Bye moving alongside Alex. This resulted in much greater control and allowed James McCormick and Michael Levy plenty of opportunities wide out with both of them constant threats and showing plenty of promise for the future. During this period plenty of opportunities came and went with the Royston keeper making a splendid double save 7 minutes into the half to deny first Alex and then Dave Ensor following a short corner.

The watching spectators were at last given a chance to enjoy the final 18 minutes in comfort when the game was put beyond doubt on 52 minutes, with Dave Ensor putting away a short corner after a neat interchange with Andy Bye, to make it 3-0. Bar continued their superiority for the rest of the game – George Wickham fired wide with one chance but generally, despite plenty of attacks, there were few clear cut chances. The defence continued to have few problems, with Royston providing little if any threat up front.

The final whistle came, which finally allowed Mark Sayers the opportunity to get up after nearly 5 hours of watching different members of his family run around the pitch!

by Anthony Levy