Mens 2nd XI Match Report
Vauxhall 2nd XI v Potters Bar Mens 2nd XI
13 November 2010 | by Anthony Levy
With a Miracles and Subway stop having been avoided the team assembled at Vauxhall in plenty of time to set up the crèche facilities for youngest colt Joshua Becker. Added to this the appearance of both Alex and Jessica on the side line also added a touch of much needed glamour to this top of the table clash against a Vauxhall side that entered the game with a 100% record. The 'crowd' then assembled in the shed end to witness proceedings.
It became clear from the outset that this was going to be tough encounter between two good hockey playing teams with plenty of skill on show. There was an early chance for Bar when a ball from Dave Ensor flew across the D just out of reach of the sticks of the forwards and then Jordan Page had to be alert on 7 minutes to keep Vauxhall out making 2 saves in quick succession.
What was also quickly apparent was that this was going to be a tough day for the umpires with the Vauxhall players quick to appeal decisions even when the free hit was going their way! Alan Field was already issuing warnings early in the half and things barely settled down all afternoon.
Bar carved out the best of the chances in what was a very even first half. Danny Becker put Andy Stokes through on 18 minutes but he took the ball too wide after beating the on rushing keeper and he was unable to find a team mate with his cross. 5 minutes later Andy had another chance in the D which was scrambled away off a defender's foot – the follow up short corner saw another effort from Andy, this time going just wide of the post.
For the first time this season the side reached half time with game scoreless. The skipper was delighted with the first half display pointing out the frustration of an opposition used to having things their own way, and encouraging the wingers to get round the defence (yes, another dull half time team talk!).
Almost immediately into the second half and things went exactly as planned as another promising foray forward saw Freddie Waite feed the ball into the D for James McCormick to slot home at the far post (Shag shamelessly claimed an assist for a dummy as the ball came over!). Just 2 minutes later and the lead was almost doubled when Andy Stokes turned on the ball in the D and his shot went just an inch past the upright.
Vauxhall kept going however and in the 40th minute pulled level when some skilful passing led to a shot which hit the post and then ended up going over the line off of Nishal Shah's foot! The game remained nip and tuck with plenty of good hockey, with Nishil Shah in particular making a surprising number of excellent forward runs. Two further quick goals came midway through the half. First Vauxhall took the lead on 50 minutes with a sweetly struck shot from the angle of the D which gave Jordan no chance. However just 3 minutes later James McCormick got on the end of another good cross (this time from Dave Ensor) to tap home at the far post to make it 2-2.
Shortly afterwards however the game, which had threatened on a number of occasions to bowl over, finally did! Alan, who had already issued a green card to a Vauxhall player, this time issued a much deserved yellow card following yet more dissent. The match was then held up for a number of minutes as Alan refused to allow play to continue until players from both teams (although mainly the home side) calmed things down with a view to getting on with playing hockey and respecting the umpires decisions.
Play finally resumed with Vauxhall down to 10 men but still looking to make a good game of it. Unfortunately for all of Bar's good play throughout the match they were undone by a soft goal 7 minutes from time. A looping shot from the edge of the D did not appear dangerous but it took Jordan by surprise and although he did well to get a stick on the ball, it fell down inside the goal to give Vauxhall all 3 points.
In the end a disappointing result, but in reality this was an excellent performance from the entire team with some of the best hockey seen in the division this season, despite the needless provocation of a Vauxhall team that should really let their hockey skills do the talking.
Final Score: Potters Bar 2 - 3 Vauxhall
Goal Scorers: J McCormick (2)
Team: S Randon (Capt), J Page (GK), J Yates, N Shah, N Walton, M Levy, D Becker, J McCormick, D Ensor, F Waite, A Stokes, E Ogbourne, C Edwards
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