Mens 1st XI Match Report
Old Southendians v Potters Bar Men's 1st XI
01 October 2011 | by Owen Hughes
In unseasonably high temperatures, Potters Bar’s men’s 1st XI made the long trip to the coast, to take on Old Southendians. Unfortunately, our travelling team were caught up with thousands of other people heading to the beaches across the south of England. The smart money was on taking the train and full marks to Whyers and Rory for selecting this option. The convoy’s journey was not quite as anxious as it could have been as Ed and Rory had arrived on time and were able to relay the fact that the preceding game had been delayed, so when the rest of the team arrived bang on match start time, the stress levels were okay. All in all, the traffic had added an extra 40 minutes to the journey. Amazingly a cyclist passed just after we exited the M25 caught up and overtook us in Southend.
In the beating sun, the game indeed started brightly for Potters Bar. Bar welcomed back Dave Fennell from the 2s and Ben Graham after a week’s absence and Fennell’s pace on the wing and Graham’s surefootedness in defence were a much needed fillip. Within 5 minutes a ball from midfield by Ed Whybrow found Miles Tomkins in space on the right-hand edge of the D. His cross to Mark Turpin was one that the defender felt he had to deal with, but could only knock the ball past his keeper for an opening goal to Bar.
Soon after this, Turpin was through on goal after another Tomkins’ pass but as he rounded the keeper and looked certain to score his stick was taken by the defender’s stick. Despite claims for a penalty flick, a short corner was awarded instead. Bar’s short corner machine was not at its best all day and this came to nothing. From another short corner of Bar’s, Old Southendians broke quickly and ruthlessly passed the ball round the outnumbered defenders to score at the back post.
Old Southendians pressed Bar well in midfield and had another couple of opportunities before half-time which went begging. At half-time Bar regrouped but the hot sun and the existence of only one Bar substitute was taking its toll. Old Southendians, in contrast, seemed to have an almost inexhaustible production line of fresh legs subbing on and this made a huge difference in the second half. However, it was not the cause for the blow Bar took in the opening couple of minutes of the half. A ball into the D hit a Bar foot and from the resultant short corner, the danger looked to have passed as the injection beat the attacker at the top of the D. However, the ball was stopped further out and sent straight back in. The forward who received it turned and shot from close distance giving Bar’s keeper, Jonny Weller, no chance.
In spite of Old Southendian’s 2 goals, Weller was, in fact, having a fine game. He soon made a full length diving save which the Old Southendian forward himself was quick to congratulate.
As the second half wore on, Bar pushed more and more for an equaliser. However, the opposition were resolute, allowing Bar to have the ball Bar’s own half but allowing them no time on the ball once in theirs. Old Southendians’ fitness was obviously high and they seemed to be gaining in energy as Bar wilted in the heat, diving around and sprinting for the loose balls. With Bar’s hopes fading, Old Southendians struck the killer blow. Moving away from goal at the top of the D, the Old Southendian forward, with one goal under his belt already, managed to get his shot away on the reverse stick. Unfortunately for Bar it looped perfectly over Weller and passed just under the bar into the goal.
As the final whistle blew, Bar still have no points for season, but can take away the fact they held their own for much of this match against a team who played two divisions higher than them last season. It has to be said it was a fantastic effort from 12 players who gave their all in extremely difficult conditions. The side will be hoping to come away with something from another long trip next weekend to Saffron Walden.
Final Score: Old Southendians 3 – 1 Potters Bar
Goal Scorers: Miles Tomkins
Team: Jonny Weller, Rob Donoghue, Ben Graham, Owen Hughes, Ed Newbery (C), Chris Chittleborough, Rory Brett, Ed Whybrow, Ray Li, Miles Tomkins, Mark Turpin, David Fennell
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