Mens 2nd XI Match Report
Potters Bar Mens 2nd XI v Vauxhall 2nd XI
05 March 2011 | by Anthony Levy
Despite missing a number of players from the previous week (including Andy Stokes hardly being a team player by going off to South Africa just to get married!) Bar managed to put out a high quality and extremely youthful side against their old foes from Vauxhall, who had secured promotion only last week. Vauxhall however gave the impression of having already finished their season, turning up with just 10 players and despite containing some good players, looking far from the side that Bar had faced earlier in the season.
It was no surprise therefore that Bar were able to dominate possession and territory, although against a decent side were unable to create much in the way of openings with the play looking decidedly slow to those who had just watched the first XI fixture. Vauxhall were always dangerous on the break and Nishal Shah and Jon Yates had to be on their toes throughout the match to snuff out any opportunities.
Freddie Waite was the first Bar player to bear down on goal when his effort on 14 minutes was saved by the keeper. Gradually Bar were taking greater control and starting to create more in the way of chances. On 20 minutes a short corner was well saved by the keeper from a Miles Tomkins strike and 2 minutes later a fine ball in from the wing was just put wide by Danny Becker.
Dave Summers had been a virtual spectator, but he had to be alive just before half time when Vauxhall won a short corner and from the ensuing scramble a fine low stop was required to keep the scores level. Just when it was looking like Vauxhall would survive until half time, Bar took the lead in the final minute of the half. Michael Levy picked up the ball in the centre of the field and took the ball down the left hand side before firing the ball across the D for Miles Tomkins to guide the ball into the roof of the net.
It was another measured display at half time as the skipper encouraged greater use of the wings and the need to use the extra numbers both already on the pitch and in reserve. Unusually the team actually listened as newcomers Simeon Nichols and Harry Bonnell along with James McCormick and Freddie Waite made encouraging use of the wide positions as Bar continued to dominate in the second half.
A second goal seemed inevitable and it came after 45 minutes. A long ball out of defence from the skipper found Miles Tomkins down the right hand side and his cross was turned in by James McCormick, continuing his happy knack of scoring goals against Vauxhall. Vauxhall continued to be dangerous on the break and from another short corner on 49 minutes, Jon Yates did well to hook a goal bound shot away off the line.
On 54 minutes Miles Tomkins went for glory, picking up the ball on the left hand side just inside the Vauxhall half, he went on a mazy run that eventually saw him on the right hand side of the D. His hit across the D might on another day have found a Bar attacker but the rest of the side had given up hope of Miles passing the ball and instead the ball rolled harmlessly away.
Although by this stage victory was not in doubt, it took 3 goals in the last 6 minutes to put a pleasant gloss on proceedings. On 64 minutes good work from Harry Bonnell should by rights have given him his first goal but Simeon Nichols did his job by chasing the ball down at the far post to get the final touch. Two minutes later Danny Becker hit a splendid cross field pass to find Miles Tomkins just inside the D and Miles made no mistake with an excellent finish. Then in the final minute it was Miles Tomkins again who made space on the right hand side and this time his pass was tucked home from short range by George Nye.
Almost immediately afterwards the final whistle blew. Bar had secured an unexpectedly easy 3 points in their promotion quest, leaving just 2 more needed from their remaining 3 games to make it to Div 6.
Final Score: Potters Bar 5 - 0 Vauxhall
Goal Scorers: M Tomkins (2), J McCormick, S Nichols, G Nye
Team: S Randon (Capt), D Summers (GK), J Yates, N Walton, N Walton, P Brady, M Levy, F Waite, G Nye, D Becker, S Nichols, J McCormick, M Tomkins, H Bonnell
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