Derby Delight for the Scholars

Derby day at the Maurice Rebak Stadium saw the Scholars attempt to topple local rivals Wingate and Finchley away from home. What was guaranteed before kickoff was that, regardless of league positions in the Isthmian Premier Division heading into the tie, it was to be a heated affair that would see very little Christmas cheer shared between the Scholars and their opposite number.

Wingate were denied an early goal, as the ball was tapped home with just two minutes on the clock, but the linesman’s flag was raised, to prevent Bar from going behind early in the game.

That wasn’t enough to stop Wingate taking an early lead, as Sayoud slotted a cross home for the home side. The Scholars had work to do and didn’t seem to have started the game to the best of their ability.

With seven minutes gone Bar had done very little to turn the tide that had been set early in the game, a cross flashed past the Scholars’ box, with no player able to provide the end product to double the lead.

After a period of dominance, Bar levelled in style through Keagan Cole, he hit an absolute howitzer that smashed into the top left-hand corner of the net to level for bar in the derby.

Bar seemed to have switched on after the first ten minutes, which had seen them fall behind. They had seen far more of the ball in the next ten minutes that followed, which culminated in an equaliser.

Bar looked to have fashioned an opening when O’Keefe slipped, which allowed Gogo a clear run on goal, but a solid challenge cleared the danger with 27 minutes played. Following the start, Bar had been the better side and were looking to go in front.

Cole looked to add an assist to his goal, he spun round a defender and cut a cross back to Sach, who saw his effort blocked. Soon after Gogo cut in and fired at the Wingate ‘keeper’s near post, which was an easy save in the end for him.

The game evened out slightly as it edged towards half time, as both sides had had chances to do more with the ball, but either opted not to shoot or lost the ball in creating a better opportunity. The game remained level as half time approached regardless.

Half time ended an entertaining first half at 1-1. As predicted, it had been a fiery opening 45 minutes that had seen both sides net. It was impossible to separate the sides and predict a winner from the events that had unfolded in the first half.

The start to the second half was a contrast to that of the first, very little action had made it as far as the penalty area, with Cole firing well over from distance being the only event worth noting from the first ten minutes of the second half.

Bar’s away contingent were in fine voice, as very little action ensued on the pitch. That soon changed, as a through ball played Akinsanya in on goal, only to be denied by a superb stop from Constable, who steered the ball to Cathine who hacked clear. This provided a warning sign for the Scholars.

With 23 minutes to go, Sach fired at the ‘keeper, who fumbled the save and Ward-Cochrane came close to capitalizing on the error, but Gore collected at the second attempt.

The game was beginning the boil over as a few Wingate challenges came flying in, and Budden’s last ditch tackle wasn’t well received by the player who was allegedly fouled, which led to a series of players running in to push one another.

Bar were awarded a penalty when Gore brought down Ward-Cochrane, Hutchinson stepped up to take, but his effort was well saved by Gore. A tense second half had provided few chances 77 minutes in, but the best possible chance that Bar could have they failed to take advantage of.

Bar arguably missed an even better chance to score, as Gogo beat the ‘keeper with his cross, that only left Hutchinson to tap home, but a crucial bit of defending deflected the cross and forced Hutchinson to adjust, which he couldn’t do quickly enough to direct the shot goalwards.

Wingate won a late penalty as Constable was adjudged to have fouled the oncoming striker, but Constable quickly turned from villain to hero as he saved the second penalty of the game, tipping it past the right post.

Despite all the twists and turns of the game, Sach surely won the game late on for the Scholars, as in a game of mistakes and aggressive actions, Sach coolly placed the ball beyond Gore to seal a huge three points for the Scholars in the 88th minute. In true derby style, even ‘keeper Constable ran to celebrate in a bundle with the rest of the team.

Full time ensured that Potters Bar had completed a fantastic win away from home against local rivals Wingate & Finchley, it was a tense, explosive and eventful contest that really fulfilled the role of a true derby game. The game ended favourably for the Scholars courtesy of a late winner from Sach.