WH&E M1 5 : 1 Potters Bar M2
A cold and damp day greeted the Men’s 1s for their first game of 2019 and for what represented the clash of Winchmore Hill & Enfield of today verses the Winchmore Hill & Enfield past (aka Potters Bar 2s).
Previous games between the sides have often brought a glut of goals, and usually for just one side, proffering no small amount of shame to the loser. Although WH&E M1s had triumphed in the friendly at the first game of the season, the league game two weeks later saw that reversed with a thumping 7-0 loss. On 12 January the opportunity for revenge was in sight, on home (Astro)turf, and with an eye to mirroring what happened last season with a large win.
The auguries however were murky. Only six players were confirmed at the start of the week. But, by Saturday a team emerged (including your scribe who could have elected not to play as he was chairing the AGM of the organisation he runs later that day but came to play the first half to stand up and be counted).
Faux WH&E – sorry I mean PB – started strongly and put pressure on WH&E with Nick Smith producing a string of fine saves. Former WH&E player Nick Umney went closest for PB with a powerful volley at the top of the ‘D’.
However, WH&E were not exempt from their own pressure and with Stuart bringing the ball out from defence as well as Adam doing similarly, and with running and pressure from Colin, Tim and Jake upfront and supported by John and Harry on the left and right respectively.
But, despite the chances and PB getting a little rattled – with the familiar arguments among their team commencing – the Opposition scored. Further battling by both sides ensued. Some substitutions took place and the first 35 min were duly reached, with the umpires Beth and Chris blowing time (thank for umpiring as always!).
Perhaps the performance of WH&E in the first half had tired the PB players as the second half produced something quite extraordinary. Alas, it is hard to convey the stupendous events as your scribe had departed at half-time (duly receiving DOTD for this despite, as said, coming to the game to help things out).
So, the humble reader will only have their imagination to conjure the amazing play that is said to have taken place. To paraphrase the start of Dickens’ Hard Times, it is only facts that we have, and that have been conveyed to this match writer. For the record:
Tim scored two, with one assisted by Matt. Leo scored two, with one assisted by ‘un pied’. Harry Stone scored one assisted by a tennis stroke reminiscent of Murray in full pomp.
The result 5-1. PB vanquished. Mo Umney letting in five. The league leaders toppled. WH&E rightly winners and the tightness of the table has been brought ever more into focus with the top eight separated by six points, and from third to eight, just three points. Onto Bishops Stortford this Saturday. A rise for WH&E to the upper reaches of the table could beckon.
WH&E L1 3 : 4 Staines L1
As the score reflects, it was a tight, competitive match for the ladies 1s on Saturday as we were up against an argy bargy Staines.
4 goals to Staines
3 goals to WH&E
2 of ours beautifully executed from short corners Gemma Gatting & Caroline Briers
1 green card for Talyssa Mensah
Some highlights of the game include Lisa Jobson shouting in disbelief from the sideline when we were unluckily given a short corner where a penalty flick would have been more appropriate as a Staines player saved a strong ball from Samantha Lucy on the line with her kneecap on the ground; Bethany’s satisfying last minute goal with 30 seconds of the match left and the cheering crowd we had that really boosted us in the latter part of the 2nd half when we were getting tired.
MOTM to Gemma for a really strong game, great defending, fabulous runs to support up front and a well-executed short corner strike to goal.
DOTD to Talyssa for getting a green card.
We’ll keep on fighting!
WH&E L2 0 – 6 Teddington L5
It was an early start for the ladies 2’s, heading to Teddington to versus top of the league. After trouble with parking and eventually getting warmed up, we came out fighting with great play, particularly from the defence. This frustrated Teddington forcing them to push hard and play faster. We held them off with fab saves from Deb (only her second match) but the goals started coming left, right and centre!!!
The final result was 6-0 but at least the friendly opposition and tasty teas (even chocolate cake!) softened the blow!!!
Roll on next week!
No match for the M2s this week.