Mens 2nd XI Match Report
Rickmansworth 2nd XI v Potters Bar Men's 2nd XI
18 February 2012 | by Anthony Levy
The snow at last having gone, Bar simply remained in action – this time in the midst of driving rain! Lots of players were unavailable this week, meaning that Richard Hughes was again forced into action in goal, which meant an even further depletion of the defence which was also missing the usual steadying influence of Jon Yates. Thomas Latham filled in at right back with George Wickham at left back and it was hoped that the skill in the middle of the park would see the side home.
However what followed was a consistently disappointing display as too often the ball was given away so that the lack of experience and pace at the back was often exposed by a competent home side. When Bar did put the ball out wide there was plenty of delivery from Miles Edson and Dave Ensor but it seemed that the ball was always destined never to find a Bar stick in a crucial area.
On 20 minutes Rickmansworth took the lead in a manner typical of the game – the ball was given away near the half way line and the home side were quick to break down the right hand side to set up a good finish with Richard Hughes hopelessly exposed. Bar almost drew level soon afterwards when Andy Latham’s effort from a short corner was parried by the keeper and then cleared away off the line. However it was not long before another swift break from the home side made it 2-0 after 27 minutes.
Once again Bar came close to scoring from a short corner on 30 minutes. This time the ball was slipped to Danny Becker, whose shot was deflected wide off a defender’s boot, which might on another day have led to a penalty flick but the umpire decreed that it had not been a goal line clearance.
The skipper was relatively calm at half time, begging his side to listen to him this week and to get back to playing the hockey he knew they could play. Simeon Nicholls was encouraged to get more involved closer to the opposition D and the rest of the team encouraged as usual to use the wings and to generally get stuck in!
Unfortunately there was little change other than that Bar probably had more control of territory and possession. There was however little in the way of chances created and the home side continued to look dangerous on the occasions when Bar lost possession. Richard Hughes made a fantastic double save on 48 minutes following a short corner but could do nothing shortly afterwards to prevent a third goal being turned in after he had made another save from a short corner.
On 58 minutes it was 4-0. Another short corner and although the first shot was blocked the second effort flew into the net. As usual Bar kept going and maintained their habit of a late goal, when a short corner effort from Danny Becker was saved, with Miles Edson on hand to score from the follow up. This was scant consolation and it could have been 5-1 on the final whistle but this time the effort from the short corner hit the post before being scrambled away.
Any buffer in the promotion race had been frittered away and it will probably need a 100% finish to ensure a top 3 finish.
Final Score: Potters Bar 1 - 4 Rickmansworth
Goal Scorers: M Edson (68)
Team: S Randon (Capt), R Hughes (GK), G Wickham, T Latham, C Carr, M Levy, S Nichols, D Becker, D Ensor, A Latham, M Edson
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