Barking Mad

The game's first chance saw George Nicholas shrugging off challenges to burst into the box, but his shot from a tight angle cleared the bar.

Three minutes later a ball into the box from Sandro Costa Dias Fernandes almost found the head of the same player, but it was just too high.

In the tenth minute ‘Scholars’ thought they had gone ahead. Another searching ball from Fernandes found two players in maroon ahead of the home defence, and Lee O’Leary hammered home, only to be stopped by the Assistant’s flag.

The match then descended into a midfield stalemate, with Nicholas, Fernandes and Billy Adcock probing for an opening.

On 29 mins a corner on the right from Michael Murray was whipped in, and James Budden leapt skywards, head and shoulders above the opposition. A moment later the net bulged, and the away fans broke into delighted yells.

They perhaps soon should have been further ahead, when Sean Grace got ahead of the home defence at a free kick but was only able to lift his volley over the bar.

With seven minutes to half time the visitors had another chance, Eoin Casey somehow beating the offside trap before squaring to Michael Murray, who got the ball stuck under his feet and allowed a defender to clear.

As we approached half time the usual Murray turned up, a vicious shot from outside the box requiring a fingertip save from the home keeper.

Barking had certainly played their part, working hard across the field, but they hadn’t unduly troubled Berkley Laurencin.

The first chance of the second half once again came to Potters Bar; Eoin Casey thwarted by keeper Chris Clarke at his near post in the 48th minute, but two minutes later Casey on this occasion did manage to beat the keeper, sparking wild celebrations, 2-0.

Barking continued to work hard, but the visitors held firm despite their best efforts, regularly pulling everyone back behind the ball in an attempt to hold on to what they had.

Fifteen minutes from time a rare Potters Bar foray saw Clarke save magnificently from Fernandes, a curling shot seemingly heading for the top corner, but it was a momentary respite. From the corner Casey once more beat the home defence and the keeper. 3-0 and the celebrations behind the far goal started in earnest.

Today summed up the way the team has played this season – solid and commanding in defence – tenacious and hard working in midfield – forwards prepared to run, hassle and take their chances – overseen by an astute management team.

COYS.

Team: Berkley Laurencin, William Wambeek, Andrew Lomas, Lee O'Leary, James Budden, Sean Grace, George Nicholas, Billy Adcock (Jordan Lawal 66 mins), Michael Murray (Jack Bennett 77 mins), Eoin Casey, Sandro Costa Dias Fernandes (Ben Ward-Cochrane 87 mins)

Unused Substitutes: Steve Brown, Greg Marsh

Man of the match: the whole team!