Mens 1st XI Match Report
Potters Bar Men's 1st XI v Stevenage 1st XI
04 February 2012 | by Anthony Levy
Despite the early morning frost the pitch at Dame Alice Owens was playable by the start time for what turned out to be the only Div 2S game to survive the cold. This therefore made it vital for Bar to build on their recent good form and come away with the points. The team were able to welcome Marc Collier to the centre of defence for the first time this season and also have Jon Cuff available despite his name not actually appearing on the originally distributed team sheet!
Bar took control of the game in the first half without creating much in the way of clear cut chances – although when the opportunities came they took them – on 18 minutes Tony Sayers was on hand to fire home from a short corner and then 6 minutes later it was again Tony Sayers making the key contribution when he cut out a cross field pass in the centre of the pitch before setting Mark Turpin on his way, who made no mistake in rounding the keeper and shooting into an empty net.
It was probably the most upbeat half time team talk I have heard from a Bar skipper who was delighted with the first half display and looked for more in the second half, whilst at the same time being aware to remain solid at the back as 3 points was the key requirement. Ed Whybrow confirmed that the visiting player to be aware of was the one who was possibly more colourful than his shiny orange boots!
The second half started much the same way as the first with Bar having the better of the game and looking the more likely to score next. Chris Chittleborough hit his shot over the bar at a short corner on 43 minutes, having been fed by Ed Whybrow and five minutes later some deft play in the D from Jon Cuff set up Tony Sayers but his shot was saved before the ball came back in for Jon Cuff to also be denied by the keeper.
Bar however were not having it all their own way and from a short corner on 50 minutes Ben Graham’s last ditch tackle was harshly punished with a yellow card which left Bar down to 10 men. Jonny Weller then made an excellent save from the resultant short corner. This led to a period of Stevenage pressure where the Bar defence put in a number of last ditch tackles to keep their goal intact. Even during this period Bar remained dangerous and only a late intervention from the Stevenage keeper ensured that Ed Whybrow’s pass was prevented from reaching an unmarked Tony Sayers on the far post.
With Ben Graham back on the pitch, Bar had to survive another close thing at a short corner – this time Jonny Weller had to save both the initial shot and the follow up. Gradually however the danger passed and plenty of good hold up play in the midfield enabled the clock to gradually run down, although Bar should perhaps of scored again with 3 minutes remaining as Tony Sayers was put clear and although he went round the keeper his shot on goal was deflected wide by a last ditch challenge.
Soon however the final whistle blew and an excellent 3 points had been gathered against a top half team – a few more performances like this and the bottom 4 could soon be a thing of the past!
Final Score: Potters Bar 2 - 0 Stevenage
Goal Scorers: T Sayers (18), M Turpin (24)
Team: E Newbery (Capt), J Weller (GK), M Collier, B Graham, R Donoghue, E Seaman, C Chittleborough, J Cuff, R Li, E Whybrow, T Sayers, M Turpin, M Tomkins, A Stokes
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