The Scholars historic first ever home game in the Bostik Premier saw the home side overcome a nervous start to run out emphatic winners against one of the league’s promotion favourites.

Kingstonian opened sharply, putting the home defence under pressure with some slick passing, good movement and plenty of pace. Early pressure from the visitors saw Muhammad Faal cause problems for the Bar defence crossing for Elliot Buchanan to head into the arms of Berkley Laurencin in the home goal. A driving run by Shaun Lucien ended with a shot flying wide of the Potters Bar goal.

The 17th minute saw Faal causing problems again forcing a corner from which Buchanan shot over the top.

With the early storm weathered the Scholars began to find some belief as Sandro Costa Dias Fernandes (Sandro) found his feet and started to cause the Kings defenders all sorts of difficulty. Half way through the half Sandro combined well with Andy Lomas but Rob Tolfrey easily claimed he full back’s cross.

Moments later a tricky run from Sandro drew yet another foul. Keegan Coles effort from the resulting free kick just evading the bar.

Bar took the lead with 26 minutes on the clock as a fine cross field ball by Dernell Wynter found Sandro for once without the attention of three defenders. His well placed cross found the head of Keegan Cole – one nil.

Five minutes later it was two as another Keegan Cole free kick fell to Eoin Casey who did well to keep his shot down to drive it past Tolfrey.

James Budden almost sealed it just seconds later. His header from a Billy Adcock corner blocked as it headed goalward.

The Scholars continued to apply pressure as Cole found space in the Kingstonian box but couldn’t get a shot away before it was cleared by the defence. Cole almost made amends moments later as a free kick from a central position rattled off the visitors bar with Kings ‘keeper Tolfrey standing watching.

Half time 2-0 to the Scholars

The second half started quietly but Bar could have extended the lead in the 55th minute but Eoin Casey just failed to make contact with a fine teasing ball into the box from skipper Lee O’Leary.

The response from Kingstonian was to make all three substitutions in an effort to get back into the game.

But it was Sando causing problems for the visitors once again, finding himself in space but unable to bring the ball under control.

The visitors tried hard to regain a foothold in the game but Berkley Laurencin in the home goal dealt comfortably with efforts from Buchanan and Tommy Brewer.

The final goal of the game came twelve minutes from the end as George Nicholas on as a sub for Cole latched onto the ball and lashed it past the diving Kings ‘keeper to give the home side a deserved and comfortable first home win of the season.

Full Match Report and teams on the match centre.

Crowd; 203
Mom: Sandro Costa