Potters Bar 2nd XI vs Broxbourne 5th XI

Saturday 5th December 2009

Potters Bar 2nd team are currently lying in 3rd position in the 4th division of the 5 counties league after last weeks defeat against Harpenden 3’s. Bar were now determined in gaining a win at home against Broxbourne 5’s who were currently sitting in mid table.

Bar set the tone of play, distributing the ball amongst the team with good communication and positional awareness, however occasional weak passes made it hard for Bar at times, giving Broxbourne opportunities to keep the pressure on.

The first half of the game was end to end play, with fast breaks from both teams, Glenys Chiswell in goal saving a couple, and Charlotte ’Lotti’ Pickup fighting hard to stop Broxbourne getting through. Bar scored the first goal which was converted by Liz Finding who dominated the ‘D’. Short corners were also won but not converted by Bar. However, a hungry Liz Finding found the goal a second time from an assist from Clare Pollit, making the score line 2-0 to Bar before the first half concluded.

Broxbourne broke quickly at the start of the second half, and a slight hiccup in Bar’s defence allowed the away team to score within seconds. This annoyed Bar but heads did not drop, and Shelley Farmer pushed Broxbourne quickly up the centre earning another short corner. Kerry McCann took a text book strike but was denied by the away team's keeper.

Bar kept possession of the ball throughout the majority of the 2nd half allowing both Ashleigh Rouse and Michelle Lewis to push up from the back. A number of long corners were won from constant pressure on the right wing by Sarah Withers and Clare Rose.

It wasn’t long before another long corner created a deflection which sent the ball flying shoulder height into the ‘D’, which was connected with Chris Field’s stick who smacked in Bar’s 3rd goal.

With the score line at 3-1, Broxbourne suffered injury problems which bought them down to 10 players. Bar used this to their advantage but was not able to convert as Broxbourne’s keeper saved a number goals, even though many attempts were made at goal with Finding determined to get her hat-trick.

Potters Bar were happy with their 6th win of the season and look forward to next weeks game away against Chess Valley, when the team see the return of their captain Esther Strous.

Goal Scorers: Liz Finding x 2 and Chris Field

Lady of the match: players vote went to Liz Finding

Team: Glenys Chiswell (GK), Sarah Withers (RW, Captain), Shelley Farmer (CH, Vice), Chris Field (LW), Alison Dale (LH), Liz Finding (CF), Clare Pollitt (LH), Michelle Lewis (LB), Kerry McCann (CB), Ashleigh Rouse (RB), Charlotte Pickup (S), Clare Rose (sub), Jo Shadbolt (sub).