A phenomenal strike from Riquel Samuel saw Simon East’s under 18s side finish their season with a hard fought 1-1 draw at Potters Bar Town and they will now have to await other results in the league before finding out whether the runners up spot behind Staines Town has been secured in the Ryman Youth League.

And this was despite a freak goal just 67 seconds into the game. Prosper Ezewuzie played a routine backpass to Melvin Minter and just as the talented keeper swung his foot to clear the ball up field, the ball took a horrendous kick off the turf and nestled into the bottom corner of the net.

It took a while for United to recover from this early set back, although Harry Tew-Robinson spurned a good opportunity by firing wide after good build up play by Marvel Ekpiteta and William Figueira. Then Samuel’s firmly struck free kick was fumbled by Potters Bar keeper Greg Marsh but he recovered his composure well enough to block Andrew Dean’s follow up effort.

Potters Bar’s best spell of game came midway through the first half. The continued threat of Marcus Ekeh proved difficult to handle for the United defence and he orchestrated a good chance with Liam Magwood on the left, his low cut back finding early substitute Loseyi Akinola whose shot on goal was bravely blocked by Tom Marr.

From the resulting throw in, United were caught napping as Marcus Odukoma found George Atkinson in space in midfield and he advanced to the edge of the area before firing just wide of the far post.

Ekeh and Akinola combined again to set up Larron Obinkwo but the attacking midfielder mistimed his volley from a point blank range and it looped wide. Then Obinkwo fed Akinola the ball but his shot through his marker’s legs was smartly saved by a diving Minter.

Somewhat against the run of play, United broke away and scored with an absolute screamer from Samuel. David Manu got free of his marker on the right hand side and sent a low cross towards Tew-Robinson which was toe-poked away by Sam Aylott. The danger to the hosts’ goal appeared to be over but Samuel hit a 35 yarder first time with pace and precision and it flew into the top corner well out of Marsh’s reach, stunning everyone who was fortunate enough to see it.

United improved after the break and seemed to do a lot more pressing. Tew-Robinson’s header from Ross Seldon’s corner was unfortunate to pick out Marsh in the middle of goal. Then twice in quick succession Manu was sent racing clear, the first time after a defence splitting Samuel pass and then from a Tew-Robinson flick on, but both times, he shot too close to Marsh and was denied a goal.

Potters Bar rallied and Minter proved his worth with a double save from Obinkwo and then Akinola, blocking low shots when it seemed quite straightforward to score. Then he faced Akinola again as the forward burst through on goal but a superbly timed challenge from Dean meant that he couldn’t get a shot away. The hosts even had the ball in the net but were denied by an assistant’s offside flag.

In the end though, United finished strongly without getting the winner. Legg headed a Manu cross over the bar from a good position, although he was possibly put off by Tew-Robinson just missing the ball in front of him. Tew-Robinson also had an opportunity from a free kick in stoppage time but his shot was a comfortable height for Marsh to catch.

Report by Nick Bell.

United Man of the Match: Riquel Samuel.