Mens 1st XI Match Report
Potters Bar Men 3rd XI v Stevenage 5th XI
02 October 2010 | by Steve Walters
The 3’s first league match of the season had a somewhat shaky build-up with a desperate search for a keeper and two players dropping out with less than 24 hrs to go.
However with 11 players including stand-in keeper all present and correct a full 5 minute before push back the Bar 3’s were ready to do battle, but not before the “massive” dabbled in a spot of psychological warfare. The 3’s secret weapon in goal, Mark Sayers, was unveiled to the opposition just minute before pushback, cue many a Stevenage jaw dropping at the sight of all 6’7 of Mark striding past them in full keepers kit.
Whilst the lack of any subs did cause slight concern amongst the more “experienced” members of the team, this was fortunate for George as his newly dyed hair would have warranted at least 15 minutes on the subs bench!
Bar quickly got in to their stride in the opening stages of the game with debutant Iain Martin organising the midfield well and youngsters Bradley, Simeon, George and (ahem) Queenie putting pressure on the Stevenage defence. John Hobbs, (having heroically sacrificed a vet’s pub crawl to turn out for the 3’s) reprised his midfield terrier role from last season covering lots of ground and getting stuck in wherever needed. The first 20 mins were mostly Bar who came close to scoring on several occasions but were thwarted by a combination of good keeping and hesitant striking.
However, Bar were eventually awarded with a goal around 25 minutes in, when a great passing movement resulted in Bradley chipping the ball in from close range.
The goal prompted somewhat of a Stevenage revival who took advantage of bars tendency to commit too many players up front to hit on the break. However, Iain and the Bar defence, consisting of Peter Simmons, Dave Blakemore and to a lesser extent captain Steve Walters held firm.
Bar made it through the first half with one goal advantage.
Team talk summary (not in any particular order): Oranges, Queenie - I’m knackered, Peter squeezing Mark back into keepers kit, don’t leave gaps in midfield, short passing , where’s James?...not in front of the juniors!, simple hits on goal, let the ball do the work, Queenie – I’m really knackered, early second goal, C’mon the bar!
The lack of any substitutes playing a 13 strong Stevenage side started to show in the second half with Stevenage getting more into the game. However Bar still managed to keep their shape with Iain Martin ever solid in midfield and Queenie motivating the youngsters up front and on the wings . Around 15 minutes into the second half one of several good chances on goal was finally put away with youngster Oliver Pace, capping a fine performance, by calmly directing the ball mid air into the Stevenage goal marking his first goal for the club.
Finally, it should be said that even if Mark Sayers had not had a particularly good game in goal this would not have been reflected in the match report:
- Because he did us a massive favour by stepping in at the last minute to help us out.
- Because he suffered without complaint in a very tight fitting keepers kit.
- Because it probably wouldn’t be wise to risk annoying a man of his stature!
Thankfully there was absolutely no need to apply discretion in this department with Mark putting in an all round excellent debut performance, pulling off several excellent saves as well as communicating well with the defence.
Final Score: Potters Bar 2 - 0 Stevenage
Goal Scorers: Bradley Sayers, Oliver Pace
Team: Mark Sayers (GK), Steve Walters (C), Dave Blakemore (VC), Peter Simmons, Iain Martin, Olive Pace, Jonny Hobbs, Simeon Nicholls, Bradley Sayers, Dave Ensor, George Wickham
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