Chelmsford 3rd XI v Potters Bar 1st XI

17th October 2009

Potters Bar Ladies 1s played away at Chelmsford on their water-based pitch at a later push back than normal of 3.45pm on Saturday.

The game began with equal possession and both teams producing attacking opportunities. A series of substitutions were made throughout the game as Potters Bar now have a larger squad of players. The opening forward line of Jo Spinks, Sarah Jowett and newcomer to the team, Laura Pointing, troubled the Chelmsford defence and showed some excellent attacking forms of play.

It was a break out of defence through midfield via Sue Richardson and Anna Walker on the right that found Pointing on the wing which was perfectly crossed into the circle to Jowett that produced the first goal of the game. Jowett kept composed in a goal line scuffle with the keeper and pushed the ball past her to give Bar the lead.

Half time came and Potters Bar knew they had lots of work still to do to keep their lead. Chelmsford pushed Bar into a deep defence at the beginning of the second half and despite some excellent goal keeping from Mo Gough throughout, they found the back of the net to equalise. Bar reacted quickly and a very open Chelmsford defence brought Bar’s second goal. Pointing received the ball on the right win and in acres of space ran into the circle beating a challenge from a defender and slammed the ball past the keeper to score on her debut.

Unfortunately, from this point on, Bar were pushed harder into defence and a very determined Chelmsford team, took advantage of their excellent teamwork through midfield and into attack to bring the game back level. Chelmsford continued to pack Bar’s defending circle and the continued pressure allowed Chelmsford to score 2 more goals in quick concession. A special mention goes to Man of the Match, Sarah Jowett, who worked very hard throughout the game even defending out of her usual position to keep Chelmsford a bay on numerous occasions.

Bar knew that if they could break of defence they could create some counter attacks as Chelmsford’s defence had pushed very high. A run out of defence by Spinks attempted to capitalise on this, but a horrific challenge from behind by an irate Chelmsford player stopped Spinks in her tracks, she won a free hit which was taken quickly by Richardson. Her pass found Spinks on the left wing who had a one-on-one with the keeper but an excellent save prevented Bar bringing a goal back.

The game finished with Chelmsford scoring one more goal to give them a deserving win. Potters Bar’s play was well-below their capability and they know they need to win next week at home to relieve a potentially dangerous league position.

Goalscorers: Sarah Jowett and Laura Pointing.

Team:
Mo Gough, Laura Cullen, Ruth Spencer, Karen Lawson, Faye Jowett, Viki Ayres, Caroline Stanners, Anna Walker, Jo Spinks, Charlotte Pickup, Sue Richardson, Sarah Jowett, Laura Pointing, Claire Moore.