Phoenix 1st XI v Potters Bar 1st XI

31st October 2009

On Saturday Potters Bar Ladies 1s made the journey up to Braintree, Essex to play Phoenix Ladies 1s who they had hosted at home on the first game of the season.

Bar were pushed into defence early on in the game and despite missing a number of regular defenders, the combined efforts of Karen Lawson, Ruth Spencer and Viki Ayers kept Phoenix at bay. Bar were struggling to get the ball out of their defending half during the first quarter of the game and even Bar’s forward line were pushed deep to cover Phoenix’s advancing players.

Bar soon found their comfortable rhythm of play and began finding a way out of defence with some well worked team play through midfield and out to the wings of Vanessa Porter and Lucy Edwards.

Potters Bar’s first goal came from some determined play from Jo Spinks, Sue Richardson found Spinks in the circle and Spinks superbly kept the ball in play and produced a goal line cross that swerved into the far corner.

They kept their lead going into half time and some structured words from keeper Mo Gough at half time helped Bar’s confidence. The second half saw end to end play with both teams’ midfielders working hard throughout. Gough had an outstanding second half and continuously saved shot after shot that came towards her frustrating the opposition and deservedly winning the unanimous Man of the Match award.

The continued attacking pressure that Phoenix pilled on allowed gaps to appear in their defence and Bar took advantage of this. A ball out of defence found Edwards on the left wing in acres of space to run towards goal, Phoenix’s keeper came out and saved the strike, however, Sarah Jowett was on hand to take advantage of the diving keeper and smashed the ball in the back of the net to double the score.

The game finished 2-0 to Potters Bar thanks to Mo Gough’s excellent keeping and a much improved team performance.

Bar host Old Loughtonians at home next Saturday.

Goalscorers: Sarah Jowett, Jo Spinks

Team:
Mo Gough, Karen Lawson, Ruth Spencer, Caroline Stanners, Sue Richardson, Anna Walker, Jo Spinks, Vanessa Porter, Sarah Jowett, Lucy Edwards, Viki Ayres, Laura Pointing.