Potton Utd 1 - 1 Tring Athletic FC (Potton 4-1 pens)

If you don’t take your chances……
A disappointing night at Potton as we bow out of the Gladwich Challenge Trophy at the quarter final stage.

After a good run of form the evening started brightly, with the team playing some lovely football from the start which left Potton largely chasing shadows. Max and Ben both look dangerous and the home defence was struggling to cope with them. It looked only a matter of time before one of the pair would score, and that time duly arrived in the 11th minute. A great ball to the right channel saw Ben collect and beat his marker to reach the bye line, pulling an inviting ball across the goal which Max smashed in with glee. It was a great team goal and the finish was probably more difficult than it looked as the ball arrived at pace.

As the first half progressed, the team continued to play well and create a number of great chances – a couple of which looked easier to score than not. Also, after 30mins Max was upended in the box after 30mins but only got a yellow card for allegedly diving. As the half time whistle blew, one couldn’t but wonder whether we would end up regretting those missed chances. HT 1-0 Tring.

The second half followed pretty much the same pattern – lovely football and more spurned chances. There was very little in the way of response from Potton with no notable chances other than a couple of corners. This all changed on 70mins when Sharkey saw a straight red for a foul where he was deemed to be the last man. Potton seized this opportunity and had some good possession as they pressed for an equalizer. They played some good football to be fair, but didn’t really create much against a resolute defence. Even with 10 men we created three outstanding chances with our strikers one on one with the Potton keeper, who it must be said had a very good game and was to be their hero on the night. As the seemingly endless time added on ticked in to the last minute the ball found its way in to our box for what looked like a game off pin ball – which resulted with the ball finding it’s way in to our net for the equaliser.

There was barely time to re-start before the whistle went at 1-1 and straight to penalties. Not much to say about the penalties other than Potton’s were flawless, and ours weren’t – 4-1 to Potton on penalties.

Whilst very disappointing, there were many positives with the team playing with flowing cohesion and it was very pleasing on the eye – also fantastic effort and team work. However, to win games we simply have to take our chances – in this context we only have ourselves to blame for the eventual outcome. Credit to Potton for sticking in there and seizing the chance when it came. We learn the lesson and move on to the next run of key games which, based on our overall performance, we should approach with confidence.

A final word about Potton, which must surely be one of the nicest clubs to visit. Good facilities and lovely people – not to mention the fantastic hospitality we were given. The wonderful Pauline who looked after us, must surely be the Queen of SSMPL hospitality.

Team: Midwinter, F.Hercules, Harvey, M.Hercules, Jones, Kakembo, Carbery, Sharkey, O’Conner, Butler, Shepard Suns: Bradshaw, Smyth, Oppong, Mead, Wilson