Ladies 2nd XI Match Report
Potters Bar Ladies 2nd XI v Blueharts 2nd XI
29 January 2011 | by Liz Finding
Once upon a time…the Potters Bar II's Gurus were feeling in need of a little expert advice following the unfortunate events of the previous week. The week started promisingly with a good second team turnout at Monday night's training session with some defensive training from Shag. This professional approach continued on Saturday with the team turning up 90 minutes before push back for a warm up and tactics session led by our new asset Nicki ???. The extra time spent out in the freezing cold paid off as Bar were a force to be reckoned with from the first whistle. The first 15 minutes were spent almost entirely in the opposition's half and only a very determined Blueharts' defence kept the score 0-0.
Blueharts came back into the game but Bar's defence worked well, despite having got cold with little to do early in the game. The team were grateful on several occasions for Ruth's dependable tackling as sweeper, preventing virtually all of Blueharts' attempts into the Bar D. A substitution of Jana for Sarah Withers (on her first game back from injury), moved Liz up to left wing from left back. This substitution worked wonders; Jana drove the ball up from defence to Shelley in central midfield, Shelley forged up the field into the D and a perfectly struck cross took a deflection off Esther's stick, to Liz on the left post who slotted the ball into the left corner with her first touch in the new position.
Half time came and a motivating team talk ensured the Gurus kept up the pace in the second half. A well worked short corner with Esther's customary strong strike deflecting off Shelley's stick resulted in an 'unseen' goal despite the ball having travelled 5 inches over the line. A penalty flick was awarded and the ever cool captain did not hesitate to seek compensation with a ball fired to the goalie's left corner. This second goal rallied Potters Bar who had allowed the tempo to drop a little. Real teamwork was evident from Bar as Blueharts' younger and quicker forwards were no threat due to good communication from the home side; with midfield and defence smoothly swapping roles as required. On the few occasions when the defence was breached, Glenys' composure under pressure saved the day.
The third and final goal from Bar came from a barrage of strikes at the goal, Blueharts were never able to clear the ball convincingly; an aerial shot from Laura was expertly saved by the opposition keeper, only to fall to an ever hungry Clare who quickly sent the ball past the goalie's right foot.
An altogether satisfying performance from the Gurus, long may it continue!
Joint women of the match: Ashleigh Rouse, Clare Rose, Liz Finding
Wooden spoon: Esther Strous (playing the ball in the air without being carded for the misdemenour)
Final Score: Final score: Potters Bar 3 – 0 Bluehearts
Goal Scorers: Liz Finding, Esther Strous, Clare Rose
Team: Glenys Chiswell, Esther Strous, Ruth Spencer, Ashleigh Rouse, Sam Bowen, Michelle Lewis,Clare Rose, Shelley Farmer, Laura Pointing, Liz Finding, Sarah Withers, Jana Middlebrook
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