Mens 1 vs Potters Bar 1

Following a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Bury St Edmunds last week, and Tom Bunbury’s passionate “turn up to training” speech afterwards I opted to delay watching the first episode of Full Swing on Netflix and attend the session on Wednesday evening. It was a very good session run by Reece Baker, and I mean on the pitch and not the later “session” we had in the plough afterwards. My personal highlights included Skills staying on his feet, Rob Walker running a half marathon before training as he ‘got there early’ and Captain Nick Kimberley being tackled by a cone - it wasn’t even a hockey tackle, actually more of a rugby tap-tackle which sent him crashing to the floor like a giraffe situated on an ice rink without skates that had just been taken out by a sniper. I thought I’d be helpful and improve my chances of selection by spending the rest of the session pointing out where the cones are for our captain. “Did you see that cone near you Nick?? - be careful” There was actually a traffic cone in the car park afterwards which I even commented to Durbs - “think I should stop and move that as Nick may hit it?”, I’m so thoughtful and empathetic towards others you see.

At training we worked on a few things:

1. Height (stand at the top of the pitch)

2. The washing machine (run around in a circle)

3. The weave (try to do number 2 but progress forward to achieve number 1)

Thankfully Henry’s fingernail recovered since last week, unfortunately Russell's hamstring has not.. Now Dom’s put in a couple of decent performances with the 2s and earned a call up to the 1s - he looked a bit nervous about playing at such a high level and with players of my calibre so I gave him a hug and a few words of encouragement before the game. That’s the kind and supportive type of senior player that I am. 

It’s now Monday morning and my recollection of the game is a little foggy - partly due to the team night out on Saturday where we supported at least 7 different local businesses.

Facing Potters Bar this week we were definitely after a win in this game, which would put us free from relegation without a doubt, plus if I recall correctly we smashed them before Christmas with a score line of infinity plus one to nil.

Coach Reece was in attendance, the command of “tuck in” came pretty early on. Like last time I put my shirt inside my shorts.

It didn’t take us long to exhibit our supreme dominance on the pitch. Potters Bar may have had the ball a couple of times but on 9 minutes (not 8minutes, not 10minutes according to PB’s match report) we had a beautiful flowing attack down the right hand flank. I’m pretty sure Henry hit the baseline in the move, but I know it was our young superstar Charlie Moxham at the back post with a composed finish.

Harps 1 - 0 PB

The remainder of the first half I would describe as frustrating. We had chances a plenty. PB were deploying their familiar tactic of stretching the pitch and aiming to find their goal-hanger with long balls. The sweets were available at half time, we spoke about how tonight would be much sweeter with a victory in the bank.

The second half was more even than the first, Potters Bar had the energy of a hamster in a wheel in their pursuit to get something out of the game. Andy King made a fine diving save to stop one of the few short corners PB took a straight strike from, in defence we deployed a "low box" to nullify their rinky dink passing manoeuvres aiming for a tap in. The low box tactic is essentially the two runners mill about about by the penalty spot to wait and see what the attackers do.

We had chances too. Turns out Dom-from-the-twos has a decent drag flick, it went desperately wide at a shorty.

Rob Walker was found with time and space at the top of the D, out comes the rushing goalie, unfortunately an attempt at a 4D skill saw him play the ball onto his own foot, which was obvious but even if the Umpire had missed it Rob utilised his left foot by kicking the ball onto his right root. Ah well next time try something different....

... and he did, a carbon copy of a chance again as Rob's top of the D, an onward rushing keeper is closing down the angles. Rob opts to emulate Gazza from Euro '96 in lobbing the keeper. He most successfully lobs the keeper, but it was less Gazza and more Marcus Smith 2024 vs Ireland at Twickenham (woop woop, such a shame Ireland aren't going to win the grand slam eh) as the ball evades the onrushing keeper and sails over the bar. Oh well, he tried, in such a supportive team at least no one mentioned in the evening. In his own words: "it was the best aerial anyone on the team threw today"!

Still 1-0 up, that'll do for us won't it lads. Potters Bar didn't think so, three minutes from the end they scored, annoying.

Russel was on the side of the pitch.

Full Time: Harps 1 - 1 PB

Man of the match. You know I played well - like always, some people say there’s no I in team, there are however five in individual brilliance. That being said I am modest and humble enough to share the accolade around. Has to be Charlie Moxham for getting us our first goal in what feels like an age.

DoD all absentees from the evening session.