The SSAFC travelled down to our friends at Barnet on what turned out to be a lovely sunny Saturday morning in Hertfordshire!
The game being played on a pitch just behind the Hive was a lovely pitch suited for a good footballing match and it didnt dissapoint. The SSAFC started a bit slowly with Barnet starting the game brightly but pot-shots were safely held by keeper Danny Court. The SSAFC started to look more postive with the creative pair of Foley & Collins being allowed freedom with Sapsed holding and mopping up! Bell had a shot go over and Collins fired wide before the deadlock was broken and how! Good work on the right from Foley found Carter who's lovely whipped cross found Collins who's acrobatic scissor kick found the net, a truely lovely strike from the midfielder!
The SSAFC then looked to take the game by the scruff of the neck and made it 2 shortly after when a lovely first time cross from Carroll on the left found an unmarked Sapsed running in at the back post and his volley found the back of the net, a cool finish from the experienced midfield anchor man! The SSAFC were dominating now but the back line had to be on alert and nearly got punished as Barnet counter attacked but their shot went straight at Court in goal. Collins then had a diving header well saved from the keeper after a lovely ball in from Carroll.
The SSAFC had a golden chance when Collins was put through on goal but somehow spooned it wide when he had time. The SSAFC looked solid at the back and midfield with some good disicilpined football. Foley then was sent through on goal and was brought down on the edge of the box with the Barnet player being subbed off instead of sent off. Carroll fired it over and it was Carroll again who had a good chance when great play from Collins on the left found Carroll's who's effort went narrowly over.
The Half time whistle went and the SSAFC were good value for the lead.
The Second half started with Barnet trying to get back in the game with Court making a good low save and keeping Barnet at bay. The SSAFC looked to sit back and hit on the counter allowing Barnet to play with it at the back but without testing the backline of the SSAFC. Foley's good work in the middle gave him the chance to shoot but went over. Foley then had another chance which went over but he wasnt to be denied his goal when he won the ball in midfield and linked up with Bell who sent through a lovely ball to Foley who rounded the keeper and tapped into an empty net! A lovely build up to the goal!
The SSAFC were causing problems on the break and Barker had a good chance when Collins picked him out from a free kick and his control was good but the Barnet defender got back and blocked at the last attempt to keep it to 3. Court then was called into action when their centre back went on a run and his powerful effort was brilliantly tipped over by Court. A good save. The 4th came when from a free kick out wide, Collins hit it low and the keeper parried it straight to Bell who made no mistake and finished it cooly to make it 4-0.
The game ended up being a midfield battle with both sides trying to hit on the counter but the SSAFC knew they had done enough for a comfortable win before the full time whistle sounded and a great result for the lads in red and white!
Team:
Court, Tutton, Chesworth, Ridley, Dutton, Carter, Foley, Sapsed, Collins, Carroll, Bell
Subs:
Walkling, Barker, Pike, Shadbolt
