Mens 1st XI Match Report
West Herts 2nd XI v Potters Bar Men's 1st XI
10 December 2011 | by Chris Chittleborough
Potters Bar went into the game with noticeable absences in key positions however Bar were determined to put in a good performance before the Christmas break.
West Herts started brightly and pressed Potters Bar who uncharacteristically conceded possession whilst passing the ball across the defence. This allowed the West Herts player to drive into the D and pull the ball back to slot the ball passed the keeper.
Shortly after, Potters Bar went 2-0 down to a well worked short corner routine.
After Potters Bar changed formation they found more success and were able to launch attacks down the wings with Miles Tomkins and Andy Stokes. Andy Stokes drew a free hit wide on the left just inside the 22 which Chris Chittleborough took quickly. Having created space and seen the run from Tony Sayers into the D, he hit the ball splitting the West Herts defence onto the open stick of Tony Sayers who deflected the ball into the goal!
Before the break West Herts had more success down the right and were able to drive around the Bar defence before passing the ball across the goal to be slotted away.
After half time, West Herts continued to press Bar and went 4-1 up through a similar and effective move. However Potters Bar showed their resilience with some courageous defending from Rob Donughue who prevented certain scoring opportunities. Also Charlie Carr who made his 1st XI debut looked solid and confident on the ball at left back.
Potters Bar started to get back into the game until a West Herts player hit a ball across the face of the goal which Ray Li manage to deflect with his reverse stick into the top corner.
Potters Bar pressed late in the second half and were able to pull together a fine move as Chris Chittleborough found Miles Tomkins in the middle of the pitch who held the ball up before passing the ball to Andy Stokes who beat the defender before finding Mark Turpin at the far post to calming finish.
A late surge from Potters Bar resulted in Mark Turpin winning a short corner which Tony Sayers finished well, striking cleanly into the bottom right corner.
Again, Potters demonstrated that they were capable of creating plenty of scoring opportunities and with a full squad after the Christmas break will be looking to move out of the relegation zone.
Final Score: West Herts 5 - 3 Potters Bar
Goal Scorers: Tony Sayers (2), Mark Turpin
Team: Ben Balmforth, Rob Donoghue, Owen Hughes, Ray Li, Chris Chittleborough, March Turpin (c), Tony Sayers, Andy Stokes, Miles Tomkins, Ian Sanders, Paul Brady, Charlie Carr
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