Mens 1st XI Match Report
Potters Bar Mens 1st XI v Winchmore Hill and Enfield
30 October 2010 | by Chris Filbey
In spite of a lengthy warm-up, Potters Bar started slowly against a strong and well organised Winchmore side. Winchmore dominated possession and territory and Potters Bar were under pressure and quickly went one nil down. Potters Bar were struggling to get into the game, and goalkeeper Geoff Smith made an extraordinary triple save to prevent Winchmore from going further in front. Potters Bar took inspiration from this, and after a break down the right, Mark Turpin was fouled in the D, and Ed Whybrow smoothly flicked the short corner into the side netting to get Bar on level terms, against the run of play. This clearly rattled Winchmore as they were still arguing when Turpin and Whybrow combined again to win another short corner. This time Whybrow went the other way, with the same result to give Bar the lead. The Potters Bar ruthlessness at short corners was crucial as Winchmore could not convert any of theirs. They were thwarted by Smith in goal and a goal line clearance from Chris Filbey on the post. To get back in the game Winchmore continued to push high up the pitch as a unit. As a result they looked vulnerable when caught in possession. So it proved, and when Ed Whybrow broke up an attack on half way and fed Miles Tomkins, he played in Mark Turpin who coolly rounded the keeper to score. This gave Potters Bar a 3-1 lead at half time.
Turpin scored again immediately after half time, with more dainty footwork from Bar's very own Wayne Rooney helping him to round the keeper for a second time. He then promptly got himself yellow carded by enthusiastically launching his stick like a periscope at another dangerous aerial from Whybrow. With ten men, Potters Bar got men in behind the ball and worked incredibly hard to maintain their lead. In particular, Rob O'Donoghue (playing out of position) and Owen Hughes showed bravery and determination at the back. On returning to 11 men, Potters Bar had further chances, but the Winchmore goalkeeper made several excellent stops. As Potters Bar started to tire, it was possibly inevitable that the traditional second half wobble was on the cards. Winchmore scored two quick goals to make it 4-3. Potters Bar were starting to creak, and things were looking bleak when a Winchmore defender inexplicably failed to learn the Turpin lesson and sent up the dreaded periscope to intercept another aerial in his own D to concede a short corner and get the opportunity for an early shower. With what had come before, there was only going to be one outcome. The keeper had no idea which way to go. In truth he should have stood still as Whybrow fired down the middle to complete his hat trick. The remaining few minutes were negotiated comfortably to secure a 5-3 victory.
This was a fine team performance from Potters Bar in a tight game which could have gone either way. All the players worked tirelessly for each other in attack and defence which was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
Final Score: Potters Bar 5 - 3 Winchmore Hill and Enfield
Goal Scorers: Ed Whybrow (3), Mark Turpin (2)
Team:
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