Mens 3rd XI Match Report
Potters Bar Mens 3rd XI v Letchworth 6th XI
12 March 2011 | by Anthony Levy
After last week’s disappointing defeat against division leaders Bedford Town Vets, it was vital for the promotion push to get back to winning ways against lowly Letchworth VI. The skipper had the usual fun and games in getting 11 players to be ready for the push back, as he had to employ Charlotte Sayers as a baby sitter for Dave Ensor’s daughter and also had to contend with Miles Tomkins and Iain Martin turning up late!
Nevertheless 11 men were just about ready to play when the whistle blew with the pattern of the match set very early. The Letchworth side was essentially a veteran side with little in the way of pace and with very limited ambition, playing one player far up the field but with the remaining players often all found inside their own D when Bar were pressing. Bar with (eventually) 14 players and much more youth on their side were able to dominate proceedings but without creating too many clear cut chances due to the Letchworth approach.
Bar looked most dangerous when they attacked with pace and on 8 minutes John Hobbs and Bradley Sayers linked up well but the ensuing goalmouth scramble ended with Ryan Maidment’s shot going wide. On 22 minutes Bar won 2 short corners in quick succession and whilst the first of these saw Miles Tomkins shot well saved, Miles made amends the next time with an unstoppable effort.
Bar were in no trouble at the back as Dave Blakemore, Nick Tilley and Iain Martin were easily able to deal with the sporadic forays, making Jordan Page a spectator in the Bar goal. However up front the rest of the half was disappointing as the Bar forwards failed to make the required runs for the probing passes from Miles Tomkins and Dave Ensor and on the rare occasions where chances were available the use of the back stick usually led to shots going wide of the goal.
The skipper was not happy at half time but the second half effort pleased him more, as whilst it took time for the goals to come the speed of passing and the general purpose o play was much improved, even during periods when chances were not being created.
Letchworth managed to avoid Arsenal’s indignity at Barcelona by actually having a shot midway through the half! Admittedly their chance came from a disputed short corner, but even then the shot went harmlessly wide of the upright. This was an unnecessary scare for Bar, who by now should have had the game easily won, and it seemed to provide the required effort as 3 goals were scored in the final 13 minutes to more adequately reflect the gulf between the teams.
On 57 minutes another short corner was won and Miles Tomkins smartly played the ball to the side for John Hobbs to shoot home underneath the onrushing goal keeper. The final two goals came from some of the best passing moves of the match – on 64 minutes Miles Tomkins found Chris Pitchford on the right hand side and his pass across the D was turned in from close range by James Pearson (this week playing in Chris Chittleborough’s boots!). There was just time for another when Dave Ensor’s pass was swept in from 6 yards out for a second goal for James Pearson, with barely time for another push back before the final whistle blew.
Adam Maidment then provided a Spaghetti Bolognese tea that was worthy of chief tea maker Paul Brady, as the side could look back on a job well done and contemplate another home game against Stevenage next week in their pursuit of a place in Div 8.
Final Score: Potters Bar 4 - 0 Letchworth
Goal Scorers: M Tomkins, J Hobbs, J Pearson (2)
Team: S Walters (Capt), J Page (GK), D Blakemore, N Tilley, I Martin, T Bye, R Maidment, J Hobbs, A Maidment, D Ensor, B Sayers, J Pearson, M Tomkins, C Pitchford
« Back to Match Reports