Mens 2nd XI Match Report
Potters Bar Men's 2nd XI v Southgate Adelaide 2nd XI
28 January 2012 | by Anthony Levy
A meeting between the top two sides in the table was always likely to be an exciting encounter and so it was to prove as without doubt some of the best hockey this division has to offer was on display this afternoon.
Adelaide were immediately out of the blocks with a series of attacks in the opening moments of the game and whilst Andy Stokes, deputising again in goal, was on hand to snuff out the first two efforts, an unfortunate slip in the process of trying to make another save, allowed the Adelaide forward to deservedly open the scoring after just 3 minutes. Even while this action was going on, Danny Becker broke his own personal best, in being spoken to by an umpire within the first 2 minutes of play for apparent dissent!
Bar continued to struggle with George McCormick having to learn quickly how to cope with play of a much higher standard than he is used to, whilst Jon Yates was working overtime in making last ditch tackles.
Gradually Bar started to come into the game with the midfield of Paul Brady, Danny Becker, Lames McCormick and Michael Levy making their presence felt, winning plenty of ball and distributing well. During an absorbing period of play with both sides trying to gain the initiative neither team were able to work an opening until the 27th minute when a good turn by Freddie Waite took him past his marker but his shot went just wide of the post. The only other chance of the first half came just before half time when Bar won a short corner only for Jon Yates to be denied by the keeper with the loose ball just evading Dave Ensor.
Half time arrived and the Skipper stressed the need to press the Adelaide side who he stated only looked really good when Bar gave them time to play! It was also noted that Adelaide were defending high up the pitch so the forwards were encouraged to stay further forward and for the defence and midfield to look for the longer pass.
What we got in the second half was a repeat of this same encounter last season – lots of exciting play, plenty of chances and skilful hockey – yet incredibly no goals!
Bar were now the equal of their opponents yet the first chance of the half went the visitors way as a cut in from the left hand side of the D on 40 minutes saw a ferocious shot which somehow went wide of the far post. Just two minutes later it was Bar’s chance from a short corner and this time Freddie Waite’s effort had to be scrambled away.
There was then a brief lull in the chances before a ferocious final 15 minutes brought non-stop action – Michael Levy’s probing pass into the D on 55 minutes found the evergreen Andy Latham, whose effort was well saved. Andy was again in the action just 7 minutes later when a scramble in the D gave him the chance to lift the ball over the keeper only for him to find Jon Yates taking the ball away from him, with the chance then snuffed out by some last ditch defending.
Meanwhile at the other end, with Bar surging forward, there were plenty of breakaway chances for Adelaide. On at least two occasions a bit more composure in controlling the ball might have led to Andy Stokes facing a one on one. As it was he had to be at his best to make a scrambling save with 6 minutes to go and then soon afterwards was at full stretch to keep out an effort from a short corner. Richard Hughes – only on the pitch for the final 25 minutes, also had to be alert to make some more last ditch interventions.
Back up the other end and Bar came close on a number of occasions in the closing moments to securing what would have been a deserved equaliser. With 3 minutes remaining Michael Levy went past his marker wide on the right and his ball across the D was struck towards goal by Jon Yates but was deflected wide. Almost immediately afterwards Paul Brady was the supplier for Freddie Waite who hit his shot just wide. Then in the closing seconds Danny Becker was allowed lots of time to run towards the D but he just missed out on getting the ball through to an unmarked Andy Latham.
The final whistle came and Bar had to console themselves with the knowledge that they had put in a splendid display against the best side in the division – I look forward to seeing a repeat in Division 5 next season!
Umpires: Arthur I Tiss
Final Score: Potters Bar 0 - 1 Southgate Adelaide
Goal Scorers: Not today
Team: S Randon (Capt), A Stokes (GK), J Yates, G McCormick, R Hughes, P Brady, M Levy, F Waite, D Becker, D Ensor, J McCormick, A Latham, M Edson
« Back to Match Reports