Mens 2nd XI Match Report
Potters Bar Men's 2nd XI v Letchworth 4th XI
11 February 2012 | by Anthony Levy
Only some splendid clearance work by the school allowed this game to take place after two separate snow falls during the week – in fact it was pretty much perfect conditions by start time, under a cloudless sky and actually a lot less chilly than in previous weeks. The side had an unusual look about it, with the usual midfield trio of Messrs Becker, Brady and Levy all missing for one reason or another but with the inclusion of the long missing Chris Wood. Ben Bamforth and Charlie Carr were also making their first starts since the end of last year. The Letchworth side were their usual mix of some youth alongside plenty of experience, which was sufficient earlier in the season to inflict a 5-1 defeat on what was probably the weakest 2s side Bar have put out this season.
On this occasion however Bar wasted no time in taking the lead. A short corner was won on 6 minutes and although Jon Yates had his initial effort saved, his follow up was guided in by Charlie Carr, who was on hand by the far post having supplied the initial injection (something Paul Brady would have appreciated). There was plenty of good possession and territorial play at this stage from Bar with Miles Tomkins in an unusual role in the back 4, and both Charlie Carr and James McCormick dominating in midfield.
However too much head down play, ignoring the wide options, allowed Letchworth to gradually come into the game and they might easily have scored but for some excellent goal keeping from Ben Balmforth – two saves around the 15 minute mark already showed his ability, but the full length diving save on 20 minutes was the save of the match and must have been dispiriting for the visitors. They then suffered a sucker punch on 24 minutes when, against the run of play, some good work from Andy Stokes led to a short corner and Andy Latham then saw his shot deflected into the goal by a Letchworth stick to make it 2-0.
Gradually the Bar midfield and defence began to take a bit more control of things and there was very nearly a third goal just before half time as Dave Ensor yet again showed his lack of mastery in front of goal with two close in efforts smothered away by the goal keeper when it looked easier to score.
At half time the skipper stressed the need to keep possession and use the wings – this was a game he felt that Bar could go on to win easily......but if the side continued to give the ball away it could be a game that was lost. He then explained that there was going to be no swearing this week, as it clearly had no effect last time! To be honest the team talk this week also had little impact for the next 15 minutes of play as although the Bar goal never looked in danger there were still either too many stray passes or a lack of a key pass when one was due, so that the game remained in the balance.
Two goals then in 3 minutes then settled the match – on 50 minutes Charlie Carr drove the ball into the D and before the umpire was able to award a short corner when the ball came off a Letchworth boot, Andy Stokes was on hand to round the keeper and slot the ball into the empty goal. Then on 53 minutes Miles Edson picked up the ball after some good passing play out of the defence, and his ball into the D was splendidly turned home past the advancing keeper by Andy Latham.
Miles Tomkins continued his excellent display in defence by making his first tackles of the season to break up two dangerous forays, but aside from this, Bar began to dominate a tiring Letchworth side. James McCormick’s excellent ball to Andy Stokes on 56 minutes was saved, whilst Jon Yates was also denied by the keeper 4 minutes later from a short corner. Andy Latham hit his shot just wide on 65 minutes after he had been well set up by Charlie Carr.
Most of these chances and domination came despite Bar being reduced to 10 men – Chris Wood being very unlucky to receive a yellow card with just over 10 minutes remaining. The rest of the game was seen out, and with other teams now facing a fixture backlog, this was a vital 3 points towards a berth in Division 5 next season.
Umpires: Alan Field
Final Score: Potters Bar 4 - 0 Letchworth
Goal Scorers: C Carr (6), A Latham (24 & 53), A Stokes (50)
Team: S Randon (Capt), B Bamforth (GK), J Yates, G McCormick, M Tomkins, C Carr, C Wood, J McCorrmick, A Stokes, F Waite, D Ensor, A Latham, M Edson
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