Bengeo Tigers FC

Morning frost caused a 30 minute delay to the first meeting between the Sumatrans and Mid Herts newcomers and unbeaten league leaders Potters Bar Crusaders Blues.

The Sumatran starting line consisted of Sam Rider in goal, with a defensive line up of Zack, Kyle, Richard and Ben. A five midfield of James Brett, James Levy, Joe, Craig and Andrea supported lone striker Calum. Robert, Chris, Jack and Sam M ‘sat on the bench’.

Early play was as fresh as the morning air, with both sides playing some good quality football. The Sumatrans were first to come close when Kyle sent a long ball out wide to the right where Andrea collected and put in a lovely cross for Craig to shoot just inches wide of the Potters Bar goal. With the first half well under way, Robert replaced Calum as striker.

The Sumatrans were having a good spell and looked threatening in front of the Potters Bar goal when a defender made a clearance, setting the visitors on a quick brake. The Sumatrans, having pushed forward were for once slower to react and the Potters Bar striker stuck home to give them a 27^th minute lead. This gave the visitors a lift and just minutes later, Sam was forced to make a crucial save pushing the ball over the bar from a long, powerful 20 yard shot. In the 37^th minute, James Brett’s inch perfect pass released Robert on a run resulting in a shot that went just wide of the right hand post.

A second half tweak saw James Levy moving out to replace James Brett on the left wing, whilst Chris Moss occupied the vacated centre left midfield slot. With Zack, Kyle, Richard and Ben all looking solid in defence, a confidant midfield started to take the game more and more to Potters Bar. Three minutes into the half, a crunching tackle from Chris saw him take possession and send a well weighted ball down the line to Andrea who put in a high cross, giving the keeper a troubled moment before he gathered the ball. Joe came close in the 46^th minute when he struck from the edge of the penalty area forcing a good save from the keeper. Just a moment later saw Andrea send a powerful shot just over the bar.

The Sumatrans kept up the pressure and were rewarded in the 57^th minute, when Robert beat his marker to fire a shot which the keeper intercepted, but was unable to hold. Andrea quickly stepped up to fire the spillage into the back of the net to take the score to 1-1. The Sumatrans by now were controlling the game and enjoying the majority of possession. The Potters Bar defence however, rode the storm and Robert nearly grabbed the winner when he beat a defender and could only watch as his resultant shot bounced back off the crossbar. So, full time and honours shared.

The Sumatrans played some of their best football for some time and credit goes to them and our visitors for providing an entertaining and exciting match.

The ‘man’ of the match today was the whole team!

Well done boys for being the first side to take anything from the league leaders this season

Mick