Premier Division
Potters Bar Town 2 Haringey Borough 1
Saturday, 06 March 2004
A chance for 'The Town' to put behind them their recent poor home form, coming into this game against the bottom side with three consecutive league away wins behind them.
The weather at kick off time was spring like with a pleasing sun shining through. Team selection was again hard work and the same eleven started.
The visitors fielded a young enthusiastic team but were soon on the defensive as the home side took a grip of the mid field with Neil Jordan and Rudi Hall prominent. The pace of the front runners Phil Turner and Andy Martin were soon testing a hesitant defence.
A kick from Robert Abrahams found Andy Martin in the centre who turned and released Paul Wackett down the right who cut in and shot low and hard forcing a good save from the keeper. On ten minutes the home side went ahead when after good approach work Kieron Woodward crossed in for an unmarked Andy Martin to head home at the far post.
On fifteen minutes it was two when Michael Sharman put Phil Turner away down the right where he cut in to the box and squared to Andy Martin coming in from the penalty spot to knock home his second of the afternoon.
The weather had changed and the sun had gone, never to return and the gloom required the floodlights to come on and then the heavens opened and hail and rain forced spectators to find shelter and the players to become soaked to the skin.
Rudi Hall won the ball back outside his own box, feed Neil Jordan who put Kieron Woodward away down the left who found Phil Turner who squared to Andy Martin who was fouled on the edge of the box, the resultant free kick saw Rudi Hall curl the ball round the wall but straight into the arms of the keeper.
The visitors won a free kick just outside the box which was curled round the wall and Robert Abrahams had to dive to his left to push the ball away for a corner.
The home side were then forced to substitute Andy Martin who suffered a hamstring injury and he was released by Kevin Hyde.
Half time arrived with 'The Town' in a comfortable lead, looking solid and assured at the back under the direction of Jeff Cross, the midfield working hard and the forwards showing commitment but the loss of Andy Martin and his ability to turn defenders and add width and pace did not auger well for the second half.
Although the rain had relented at the break it soon returned to make the conditions more difficult and the pitch became softer and harder to play on. Not for the first time the home side failed to repeat their first half showing and instead of building on their lead and superiority allowed the visitors to see more of the ball without really threatening.
Rudi Hall hit a long pass across field to Michael Sharman who put through Paul Wackett on the right who cut into pass to Neil Jordan whose first effort was charged down and his second found the side netting. Neil Jordan then took a quick free kick to Kevin Hyde who hit a first shot that the keeper pushed over the bar. Luke Garwood then made his debut replacing Michael Sharman. A short corner from Neil Jordan went to Rudi Hall who hit a firm shot that the keeper saved well.
But on seventy-two minutes the visitors got back into the game when a shot from the left was well parried by Robert Abrahams but Kesi Dryden was first to respond to force home and would this set up an interesting last quarter where the home side throw away the advantage?
The visitors had no more to offer and the home defence contained the threat and The Town had recorded another win and three points to keep the challenge on for a top three finish.
But there are some tough games coming up and the possible absence of Andy Martin through injury will give the management team some sleepless nights. Time for the Manager Steve Smart to start playing again!
Paul Surridge Assistant Manager commented:
"Well that was certainly not a vintage performance from us. Going 2-0 up so early and seemingly easily probably contributed to the level of performance that followed.
Although we were never in any real danger of blowing it we just never got our game going, we were very sloppy when in possession and didnt get tight enough when they had the ball. Together with the awful weather conditions it must have been a trial of endurance for those watching the game.
The important thing though was that we still managed to take all three points as our recent home form has been below par so winning was the top priority. Without intending any disrespect we definitely seem to be a better side when faced with better opposition.
This will need to continue as our next three games are going to be tough ones against fellow sides from the top third of the league. That next run of three games will go a long way to deciding how high up we can finish this season.
The main plus point was Andy Martins goal scoring run continuing with two more and his switch to playing up front a few games ago has been a real success for him and the team. Hopefully the hamstring pull he came off with will prove to be a minor problem; he has got a week to recover."
Scorer: Andy Martin 2
Team: Robert Abrahams, Michael Sharman (Luke Garwood), Kieron Woodward, Jonathan Stevenson, Dave Blower, Rudi Hall, Jeff Cross, Neil Jordan, Phil Turner, Andy Martin (Kevin Hyde), Paul Wackett (James Dickie) |
|