Mens 2nd XI Match Report
Letchworth 4th XI v Potters Bar Men's 2nd XI
29 October 2011 | by Anthony Levy
Unlike the previous week, 11 players managed to make it in time for the start of the game at Whitethorn Lane, however the side taking the field bore little resemblance to the team that had beaten the league leaders the previous week. With so many players unavailable, not only was the 3rd team game conceded, but in the end only 23 players managed to turn out for Bar this weekend. As a result a number of youngsters were making either their seasonal or full 2nd team debuts added to the return to the back four of the ‘ancient’ (skipper’s word, not mine!) Tim Bye.
The opening passages of play were very positive with all the youngsters contributing. George McCormick in particular looked anything but overawed filling in at right back, looking confident on the ball and regularly linking up well with Miles Edson. Simeon Nichols and George Wickham were also combining well up front. It was however perhaps a sign of things to come that the early pressure failed to bring any clear cut chances, whilst a break away by the home side saw a mixture of the skipper and Michael Levy get the ball away off the line!
Letchworth fundamentally relied on the long high ball out of defence for their forwards to run on to, and this proved to be effective against a Bar team that often seemed to be short of numbers as well as pace at the back. However it was still somewhat of a surprise and against the run of play when Letchworth took the lead on 19 minutes when a loose ball found the goal, with goalkeeper Jordan Page caught out of position. This in fact was the first action seen by the late arriving Andy Stokes.
Despite continued Bar pressure it was still the home side that was creating the chances – hitting the post on 29 minutes and then doubling the lead just before half time when a snap shot from an acute angle beat Jordan at his near post.
The half time team talk concentrated on the positive contributions from the youngsters and the need to use the wings. Tim Bye was now stationed as a sweeper to try to counter the long ball threat although Jon Yates was somewhat confused by the instruction not to drop too deep but also not to go too far forward!
It was vital for Bar to make a good start to the half and get the opening goal – instead it was the home side who extended the lead after 39 minutes with a well worked short corner that beat the skipper on the near post. Bar kept up the pressure but became more and more frustrated by their inability to create any chances and perceived injustices from the umpires. Jon Yates was denied by the keeper on 46 minutes from a short corner while Andy Stokes was often in a good position but unable to get the crucial shot away.
A fourth goal came on 59 minutes – another short corner was blocked on the line by Jon Yates but was bundled in much to Jon’s displeasure – should it have been a Bar hit as the initial shot was too high? It did not really matter as by this stage the game was lost, although not before a consolation goal on 66 minutes – another short corner was blocked by the keeper but his effort to clear fell to Simeon Nichols, who capped a good performance with a calm finish. Sadly there was still time for Letchworth to score again to finish 5-1 victors.
One could sense that the skipper’s mood was not helped by his continuing diet – despite the ‘boost’ he had rewarded himself on the way up, the pre-prepared salad (lovely feta cheese but disappointing houmus) was not what he needed on the day that the side had been creamed. Hopefully there will be plenty of returning players next week to provide selection issues and to get the promotion push back on track.
Final Score: Potters Bar 1 - 5 Letchworth
Goal Scorers: Simeon Nichols
Team: S Randon (Capt), J Page (GK), T Bye, J Yates, M Levy, M Edson, D Becker, J McCormick, G McCormick, G Wickham, S Nichols, A Stokes
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