Ladies 1st XI Match Report
Southend 1st XI v Potters Bar Ladies 1st XI
29 October 2011 | by Shelley Farmer
Potters Bar Ladies had an early start on Saturday with an 11.15am push back away in Essex. And to add a little gloom to the far away fixture, heads were sore after a few self inflicted Halloween celebrations the night before!
Potters Bar had a week off and were keen to play again after the 1-0 Derby defeat of Welwyn Garden City 2 weeks before. Nonetheless, the home team Southend are currently one point from top of the league table, and the team had already travelled to play Potters Bar in the first match of the season at home, whereby our Ladies lost from a 1-3 defeat.
This time the venue was Swaine Park School, Southend on a well kept pitch, and the weather was rather mild for a late October fixture.
The match went under way at a fast pace, with entertaining end to end play, but the Home team Southend dominated possession, and with earnest scored their first goal. However, last years skipper Caroline Partridge took hold of an opportunity with an open goal, which presented itself after an unseen foul from the home team.
Potters Bar Goal keeper Glenys Chiswell prevented a home conversion with an astonishing sliding save. But despite Chiswell's skill Southends' prowess allowed a second goal for them. Potters Bar heads never dropped and they came back with an excellent attempt by Sarah Jowett, who unluckily saw her strike hit the cross bar. Southend then saw an opportunity down their right wing and capitalised it with their 3rd goal. Then Potters Bar's number 8 Caroline Stanners presented a fine display of dribbling skills by beating 3 players to assist captain Lucy Edwards who scored a fine goal from a tight angle.
Half time saw the score line as 3-2 to Southend, and after an inspiring half time talk from Edwards, Potters Bar fancied their chances.
At the start of the second half Potters Bar looked better in possession and off the ball Jo Spinks made brilliant tackles, doubled up with pressure from Louise Allmark, and with quick accurate passing from all players, Potters Bar were more hungry than the home side.
Another drive up the right wing provided a fine cross that met with Jowetts stick providing Bar's 3rd goal.
Southend's heads dropped and Potters Bar took advantage by stepping up the tempo an extra gear. Southend found it difficult to get past Meme Zakiewicz in defence, whose commitment with diving to prevent crosses paid off when Edwards earned Bar a short corner at the other end. The strike was saved by their keeper, but not safely, and Shelley Farmer scored the 4th goal by hassling the ball over the line.
Potters Bar realised the strength and keenness in the team and relished from Southend's frustration. Players had a number of one on ones with the keeper who saved attempts from Edwards, Farmer, Jowett and Partridge x 3. Eventually, Sue Richardson in left back played a fine pass through their defence which allowed Sarah Jowett with her 'mad skills' to pop the ball over the keeper. Potters Bar ended the match with a 5-3 victory.
Potters Bar showed a refined and promising performance, and now have won 3 out of 6 matches in a challenging league. Let's keep it up!
Final Score: Southend 3 - 5 Potters Bar
Goal Scorers: Sarah Jowett (2), Caroline Partridge, Lucy Edwards, Shelley Farmer
Team:
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