Mens 3rd XI Match Report
Potters Bar Mens 3rd XI v Bedford Vets
05 March 2011 | by Anthony Levy
A top of the table clash saw Bar keen to inflict revenge for their only defeat so far this season, knowing that a win could pretty well secure promotion as well as giving the side an outside chance of the Div 9 title. It was another difficult week for the skipper in securing a side and only last minute confirmations got the side up to 12 players and nicely strengthened by the availability of Jon Cuff who was unable to make any of the day’s earlier fixtures. Michael Levy was acting as kit man in providing shoes for James Pearson and a stick for Bradley Sayers!
However hopes of a vital victory were all but over within just 3 minutes as Bedford quickly took a 2 goal lead. On both occasions some solid passing, good running off the ball and excellent finishing were simply too much for a fairly static Bar defence as the 4-5-1 formation failed to do the trick. Bar settled down and began to come more into things with Jon Cuff showing his class and Dave Ensor creating things on the right. However this didn’t stop Bedford coming away and scoring again on 13 minutes – Jordan Page unlucky to see the rebound put in after he had made a good save initially.
Bar’s best opportunity came from Bedford going being reduced to 10 men for most of the first half. Understandable annoyance by the Bedford player following a foul by Jon Cuff simply continued, even when a green card was issued, leaving Jon no choice but to issue a yellow card, before allowing the Bedford skipper to go and calm his player down.
Not long after there was a ray of hope when Bar pulled a goal back. Tim Bye’s shot was well saved by the keeper but the pink socks of James Pearson were on hand to hit home the rebound. However, despite being down to 10 men, Bedford continued to look the more dangerous team and scored two further goals before half time. On 26 minutes an excellent run down the right led to a cross that was sweetly turned home and then just before half time Jordan’s save from a short corner again saw the rebound taken, to see the game almost over at 5-1.
Your match reporter witnessed his 3rd half time team talk of the day and by far the most entertaining and refreshing. Not only were there oranges to spare but there was a fundamental change in tactics to a 3-5-2 formation and suitably rousing words from Dave Ensor.
The changes brought a much more even second half with Andy Bye denied early on by a good save from his short corner flick. Jon Cuff continued to be a nuisance, amongst plenty of attacking play with young George McCormick looking like one for the future with his efforts on the wing. However it was always difficult against an experienced side with a 4 goal lead and they made it 6-1 on 48 minutes with another good finish. It could have been worse but Jordan Page kept the score down on 57 minutes when he made 3 separate saves following a short corner.
Bar just kept on going though as their opponents started to ease up. The skipper came back on and went up front leading to the spectators hoping for his first goal! Whilst this did not materialise his enthusiasm galvanised the side to some late heroics. With 4 minutes remaining a short corner was touched on by Jon Cuff for Andy Bye to fire home. Shortly afterwards Dave Ensor’s ball into the D almost found the skipper for a goal but from the next attack a third goal was scored when Andy Bye’s shot was saved allowing Bradley Sayers to neatly tidy up and score from the rebound.
A 6-3 defeat was not what the skipper was looking for, but the bright finish will hopefully be the required impetus to take into the final 3 games to help make sure the side can have another go at the Bedford Vets next season in Div 8.
Final Score: Potters Bar 3 - 6 Bedford Vets
Goal Scorers: J Pearson, A Bye, B Sayers
Team: S Walters (Capt), J Page (GK), D Blakemore, N Tilley, P Simmons, T Bye, A Bye, G McCormick, D Ensor, J Cuff, B Sayers, J Pearson
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