Hertford 3rd XI v Potters Bar 2nd XI

Saturday 10th October 2009

Hertford 3rd's hosted Potters Bar 2nd's at Balls Park on Saturday in their 1st league game away this season. Potters Bar knew they were in for a tough game as Hertford are renouned for their aggressive play from last season and we were missing a couple of key players. Despite this the weather was in the teams' favour, playing a 1245 push back in sunny skies and not a rain cloud in sight.

Bar started the game in possession with positive attacking play which made it difficult for Hertford who for the first 15 minutes defended their end very well preventing Bar's Lucy Deas converting balls put in the 'D' by winger Alison Dale.

Hard work from the forwards payed off causing Hertford to foul on occasions, awarding us penalty corners. With Chris Field injecting and Sarah Withers taking the hit, an opportunity was lost as a fantastic strike was deflected and sent wide of the post.

An unstable Bar defence was soon put under pressure by Hertford, but with excellent keeping from Glenys Chiswell, Bar denied Hertford any early opportunities. Finishing the 1st half goaless at 0-0.

Potters Bar had to up their game in the 2nd half, however Hertford had more possession of the ball with some unforced errors from Bar's squad and forcing Bar to defend more than drive the ball forward.

This allowed Hertford to gain numerous short corners, and despite Withers coming out and defending these very well, they eventually scored.

Occasional heads were lifted when defenders Withers, Charlotte Sayers and Laura Cullen drove the ball upfield. Opportunities arose when Shelley Farmer and Claire Pollit partnered well on the left to bring the ball into attack. However, much of this seem to be in vain as Hertford put the pressure on and simply counter attacked Bar's advances.

Bar gave away a penalty flick, when a defender kicked the ball off the line to prevent Hertford getting a second. Chiswell made an awesome save from Hertford's reasonable penalty stroke again denying them the goal.

There were no further goals in the 2nd half by either side and the game eventually finished 1-0 to an exhausted Hertford team, making this Potters Bar's first loss of the season.

Next Saturday Potters Bar play the first derby of the season away against a promoted team from the local ladies boarding school, Queenswood.

Team: Glenys Chiswell (k), Laura Cullen, Sarah Withers (captain), Michelle Lewis, Michelle Nibbett, Claire Pollitt, Chris Field, Shelley Farmer, Sarah Deas, Lucy Deas, Katy Francis, Gronia Morley, Charlotte Sayers, Alison Dale, Sarah Gower

Lady of the Match: Sarah Withers (voted by players)