Mens 1st XI Match Report
Potters Bar Mens 1st XI v St Albans Exiles
26 February 2011 | by Anthony Levy
Bar took the field against their old foes from St Albans Exiles, reduced to 12 men following the inability of Michael Levy to catch a cricket ball earlier in the week! The side was able to welcome back Tony Sayers for his opening first XI game of the season and he was to have a key influence on the match. Although the Exiles currently find themselves towards the lower end of the table, this was always expected to be a difficult match, confirmed by the recognition of many key players on the other side of the pitch!
After some initial sparring, Bar got the best possible start by going 2 goals up inside 10 minutes. First on 7 minutes Jon Cuff, having a superb game on the right side of the midfield, made space to find Ben Graham popping up on the right hand – his ball inside to Ed Whybrow was slipped along to Miles Tomkins at the far post to slot it home. Just 3 minutes later a ball into the D found Mark Turpin in space but he was fortunate to see his shot slip through the keeper’s legs and into the goal.
There then came a long period either side of half time where Bar created few chances but allowed the Exiles into the game, often as a result of losing the ball in key areas in defence or midfield. On 18 minutes the Exiles won a short corner after one such defensive error, and although the initial injection was missed, the ball back into the D was turned home to halve the arrears. Bar could have restored the 2 goal advantage soon after but Tony Sayers’ shot across the D was just too far from Miles Tomkins to control properly and in desperation Miles ended up side footing the ball into the goal.....for an Exiles 16!
With 10 minutes remaining in the half Bar were fortunate to remain ahead when a shot was lofted over the prostrate Geoff Smith, only to see Ben Graham racing around to clear the ball off the line. Bar were not so fortunate 2 minutes later, when the Exiles put together a fine move which ended in an even better finish as their forward dived into the D to turn the ball home. Not long later there was greater concern when a ball hit across the D hit Ben Graham on the side of the knee and he had to hobble off for the remainder of the half.
Just when it looked like the sides would go in level at half time, Ed Whybrow won a short corner when he was fouled on approach to the D, and his shot from the corner was touched home at the far post by Chris Chittleborough, with the half time whistle blowing immediately afterwards. The half time team talk rightly stressed the need to stop the mistakes that were allowing the Exiles to make their breaks, and that a solid second half performance would see a comfortable victory. Despite these encouraging words, as well as the reappearance on Ben Graham, the Exiles were back on level terms within 2 minutes, from a short corner, and once again the corner was won following a break that resulted when the ball was lost needlessly near the half way line.
The next 10 minutes were nip and tuck with Bar unable to create any chances, then, as against Winchmore Hill, it was 3 goals in 7 minutes midway through the half that won the game. The key moment came on 46 minutes when Tony Sayers won the ball in his own half before embarking on a superb run that took him 50 yards and away from 2 defenders. His pass found Miles Tomkins on the left touch line and although he missed the ball with his first attempt, the second effort went across the D for Mark Turpin to strike home.
The goal led to a sustained period of Bar pressure and 3 minutes later Miles Tomkins scored again when he and Tony Sayers raced in on the far post to intercept a cross from Ed Whybrow – the only surprise was that both players agreed that Miles did indeed get the final touch! The next goal followed a crazy period of play – Bar won a short corner on 52 minutes and Ed Whybrow saw his first effort saved by the keeper before Miles Tomkins’ shot was stopped on the line by a defender. Another short corner was won and the ball was again blocked on the line. With Bar thinking that it might be a penalty flick, the Exiles broke away and nearly scored themselves before Bar broke back and Jon Cuff’s excellent pass was turned in by Ed Whybrow who wheeled away to celebrate ecstatically in front of no one in particular.
Crucially Bar kept up their standard of good play throughout the rest of the game and for once this report does not talk about the opposition scoring late goals. The defence was by now playing with much more confidence, keeping the Exiles at bay and no longer giving the ball away. Rob Donoghue in particular was gaining in confidence as the game went on.
Suitably the final goal of the game heavily involved one of the stars of the game – Tony Sayers had the ball in the top left hand corner of the Exiles half and with the skipper singing his praises on the sidelines and encouraging him to keep it simple, Tony found a superb cross field pass to a free Ed Whybrow in the centre and 25 yards from goal. Tony then made a splendid run into the D to take the return pass from Ed and then found the goal to make it 7-3.
Given the strength of the Exiles side, and having lost to them on both occasions these sides met last season, Bar can be really pleased to have achieved an excellent double over them this season with another 4 goal win.
Final Score: Potters Bar 7 - 3 St Albans Exiles
Goal Scorers: M Tomkins (2), M Turpin (2), C Chittleborough, E Whybrow, T Sayers
Team: E Newbery (Capt), G Smith (GK), O Hughes, B Graham, R Donoghue, C Chittleborough, C Irish, J Cuff, E Whybrow, T Sayers, M Turpin, M Tomkins
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